Community policing matters in Wyong Shire are the focus of the Tuggerah Lakes Police Accountability Community Team.

This group is made up of police, local parliamentarians and representatives of Wyong Shire Council.

Minutes
Tuggerah Lakes Police Accountability Community Team (PACT) Meeting

Thursday 17 October, 2002 – The Entrance Police Station

Meeting opened by Commander, Superintendent Max Mitchell, who welcomed all present.

Attendance: Superintendent Max Mitchell (Commander Tuggerah Lakes LAC) Mr Bob Graham (Deputy Mayor, Wyong Shire), Mr Milton Orkopoulos (Member for Swansea), Mr Grant McBride (Member for The Entrance) Mr Paul Crittenden (Member for Wyong), M/s Marie Andrews (Member for Peats), A/Executive Officer, Rhonda Hanlon (Tuggerah Lakes LAC).

Apologies: Mr Greg Best (Mayor, Wyong Shire).

Superintendent Mitchell, Commander:
Tabled and presented current crime indicators & trends occurring within the LAC.

Crime in local schools: being targeted.

High Visibility Operations: conducted at Gorokan, met with positive feed back from the local community.

Stolen Vehicles: dramatically dropped – ongoing targeting.

Break & Enter Offences: current focus on Lake Haven & Gorokan area.

Oasis Youth Centre, Wyong: command is working strongly with Oasis Counsellors, the feedback has been positive.

New Procedure with CIN’s: fingerprints are being taken in the field.

Bike Unit: up & running, aim to have two officers working each shift.

Camera’s operating at Shopping Centres: cameras are being placed both inside & outside of the centres.

Media: currently competing with each other, so they are asking for lots of information.
Senior Constable John Booth is the Command’s Liaison Officer. All members acknowledged the excellent work being done by Senior Constable Booth.

Bali incident: All areas of concern within the Command, have been identified.

Vehicles: new sedan on trial (with caged trucks).

The following was then discussed in open forum:

Bob Graham: Parking Patrol Officers have settled in at Council and are working well.

Commander: Council Rangers are doing fantastic work they are a great assistance to our staff.

Bob Graham: Raised concerns over current police housing. The Entrance Station has been renovated and is still inadequate. Wyong missed the opportunity to be relocated to rear of the Court House many years back.

Grant McBride: There has been a heap of money spent looking at Super Stations. Now with the new Commissioner & Police Minister, there will be a new approach.

Commander: The Domestic Violence Team has been signed off and funding for Police & DOCS in the same building will go ahead. Monies for the project will be handled by DOCS.

Paul Crittenden: Inquired as to how the project will work.

Commander: As soon as more information is available on the project, I will present an update to the meeting.

Bob Graham: Requested the Command’s D.V Officer, attend a future meeting. (Agreed by Commander).

Paul Crittenden: Expressed concerns over crime in Wyee & Lake Macquarie areas and reported on his meeting with the public from that area.

Milton Orkopoulos: Would like to see better co-operation between Lake Macquarie & Tuggerah Lakes Commands.

Commander: Lake Macquarie, Brisbane Waters & Tuggerah Lakes Crime Managers are up & running & they will be working together on various projects.

Bob Graham: Inquired about crime around the Lake Bike Track.

Grant McBride: Majority of crime committed by local criminals.

Milton Orkopoulos: Concerns over response times in Gwandalan and Summerland Point areas.

Commander: Gwandalan & Summerland Point are of concern as they are such isolated spots.

Grant McBride: Withdrew suggestion of Youth Member for the PACT, agreed should run with current team members. (All agreed). Requested briefing on what’s coming up for The Entrance end of year events.

Commander: Meetings availability. All agreed to quarterly, the next meeting proposed for January, 2003.

No further matters, meeting closed.

Page last updated: 14/01/2003