By NATALIE GALLENTI
MELTON Police are using a new approach to clean up the area’s worst crime hotspots.
Inspector Mario Fiorentino told Star a dedicated police unit has been patrolling Melton and Brimbank’s infamous hotspots in a bid to keep thugs off the street.
Insp Fiorentino said the Safer Communities Taskforce has been working hard in locations like Woodgrove Shopping Centre, Melton and Sunshine’s CBD, St Albans shopping precinct and all railway stations across both municipalities.
He said the force had moved away from the old method of policing and were committed to deterring criminal activity before it occurred.
“In the old days we would have just stopped the criminal activity in that area…the problem would have just moved onto somewhere else,” Insp Fiorentino said.
“It’s about acknowledging the different classes of people at these locations and working with them.”
He said both plain clothes and uniformed police were patrolling the area and covert operations were being conducted.
“It’s about using all the tools at our disposal and establishing a rapport with the community.
“We’re not going to put up with unruly behaviour, but we are going to be proactive in order to gain the trust of the community.”
Insp Fiorentino admitted the taskforce would need to work extensively to curb crime in the area and was not established as a short-term fix.
He said police were keen to initiate a safety committee which would include members of the unit, Melton City Council, shop owners and transport authorities.
