Neighbourhood Watch: STN 1 South YarraRegion 1 Division 2 Stonnington, Victoria, Australia.
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Neighbourhood Watch: STN 1 South Yarra
Region 1 Division 2
Stonnington, Victoria, Australia.
You are here: Home>Newsletters>April 2001
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Newsletter
April, 2001 Burglary continues to be crime problem in South Yarra IN VICTORIA a car is stolen every 16 minutes, a car is broken into every 10 minutes, and a burglary occurs every 7 minutes. Chances are that, while you are reading this newsletter, somewhere in Victoria, a burglar has invaded someone's home. The police crime reports show that burglary continues to be one of the main crime problems in this area of South Yarra with an average of 50 to 60 offences each year. Residential burglary can be a traumatic experience. It is stressful not because of the property loss, but because of the psychological trauma a person experiences when the privacy of the home has been violated. The lifestyle of the person is usually changed forever. We often see people develop a "fortress mentality" after they have experienced a home burglary. Nine out of ten break-in's are through insecure doors and windows. You don't have to live in a fortress to deter thieves - just take a few precautions. • When you go out, secure all windows in the house. Thieves can gain access through the smallest window. • Never leave windows open a few inches so that pets can get in and out. Burglars find this useful too. • Windows near flat roofs are particularly vulnerable. Never leave toilet windows open when you are out. They are often close to drainpipes which allow thieves to climb up. Consider using anti-climb paint. • Fit good locks to all accessible windows. • Never leave your door key under the mat, flower pot or hanging on a string behind the letterbox. Thieves always look in these places first. • Make sure the inside latch of your front door can't be opened through the letterbox - fit a deadlock to the door • Remember thieves have to get in AND out. If your back door locks with a key, remove the key and use the door bolts. • Keep your shed, garage and external stores locked. Tools are valuable and can be used to gain access. • Never leave ladders lying about - clamp or padlock them to something secure. • Leave a light on and illuminate dark areas around your house - burglars don't like lights • Make sure that your valuables are marked for identification If we are going to make an impact on the burglary problem then it's up to all of us to take action NOW to prevent ourselves from becoming victims of burglary! Immobilise Now! and stop car thieves OWNERS of older cars are being offered the opportunity to install an engine immobiliser, at a considerably reduced cost, in a campaign by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council. The campaign focuses on older cars, which are up to seven times more likely to be stolen than late model cars. An agreement between immobiliser suppliers and participating installers enable the devices to be fitted at a cost saving of around $200. The devices disconnect one of three electronic systems in a car. A transponder on the motorist's key ring disables the immobiliser when it comes within centimetres of the ignition system. The system is activated within 30 seconds of the ignition key being removed. A brochure, describing the scheme should have been delivered with this newsletter. Please take the time to read it. The following are local participating installers: Prahran Automotive Electrical Engineers Windsor 03 9510 2705 Strathfield Car Radios (M) Richmond 03 9427 8188 Sth Melbourne 03 9699 1855 A.L.S. Automotive Electrical Service Sth Melbourne 03 9690 3872 Duncan Auto Electrical (M) Sth Melbourne 03 9690 2039 Henron Automotive St. Kilda 03 9531 8088 Note: (M) indicates that the installer offers a mobile service. If you want details of installers in other areas (perhaps near to your work place), call 1300 132 146. Four steps to bike security 1. Use a good quality lock. 2. Lock your bike properly. 3. Be able to identify your bike. 4. Insure your bike. To mark your bicycle for identification call at Prahran Police Station with your drivers licence, or your parents with their drivers licence. For further information on bicycle security contact the Police Crime Prevention Officer S/C Mark James on 9529 2592. Buddy, can you spare some time? STONNINGTON community organisation Gawith Villa is looking for volunteers to join its innovative Leisure Buddies Project. Launched in October 1998, the project is giving adults with an intellectual disability the opportunity to develop real friendships and get more involved in their local community. These friendships are being developed with a volunteer. Gawith Villa client Leeanne has been seeing her buddy Marcelle, aged 22, for nearly two years. Leeanne and Marcelle meet up on Tuesdays. "We go for coffee or walks. Other days we go to the pub to listen to the jukebox and play snooker," said Marcelle. "It's great spending time with Leeanne. She's really welcoming and happy. Leeanne really loves her life and how many people do you meet like that?" "Being a volunteer is a fantastic opportunity. It gives me a wider perspective of life and it's fun." Apart from making a new friend, Marcelle said that she's also learned a lot about intellectual disability. "I think a lot of people are scared of people who have a disability. By getting to know someone you realise there's nothing to be scared about. There's a whole other world out there." No particular qualifications or experience is needed to be a Gawith Villa volunteer. All you need is an hour a week to spare. Volunteers are then carefully matched with their buddy. All Leisure Buddy volunteers receive training, ongoing support and supervision. Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed. For more information please call Helen Calandro at Gawith Villa on 9509 4266. Renting your home? Check your windows WHEN you moved into your rented house or flat you would have received a little red book titled "Renting: Statement of Rights and Duties." On page 12 it states "The landlord or agent has to: make sure all external doors and all windows have locks to secure them." Question. Does your rented house or flat have window locks? I sought advice from the Tenants Union of Victoria concerning window locks. Here is their reply to my enquiry: "A landlord who lets a property without window locks is in breach of s.70 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. If the tenant suffers a loss because of the breach (ie gets robbed), the tenant may make a claim for compensation against the landlord. Once the premises are let, then the tenant can take steps to make the landlord comply with s.70 by serving the landlord with a breach of duty notice. If the landlord does not comply with the notice within 14 days, the tenant then can obtain an order from VCAT. You may also be interested to know that locks does not necessarily mean deadlocks or key locks. The Tenants Union believes that the law is inadequate in this area as it is a widely accepted community standard that deadlocks are required for the basic level of security. Many tenants cannot get contents insurance because the premises are not fitted with deadlocks." With the continuing high rate of burglaries it is up to each of us to do a bit of "target hardening". One way you can make your home a harder target for a burglar is to request your landlord or agent to provide window locks. If you do request window locks be fitted, do it in writing. If you are unfortunate enough to be burgled, it may assist your case for compensation against the landlord, if you can prove that you requested window locks be fitted to the premises. Visit the Police Academy Neighbourhood Watch is arranging for a group of residents to visit the Victoria Police Academy at Glen Waverley. The visit will include a tour of the training and educational facilities, a "mock" courtroom and the splendid Police Chapel. Tea and coffee will be provided during the visit, but BYO biscuits. The Victoria Police will provide a bus to transport residents to the Academy and back to Prahran Police Station. Seats are limited, so if you wish to be included, please call 9827 6931 as soon as possible to book your seat. Date: Tuesday, May 1st at 7.00 pm From: Prahran Police Station It is anticipated that the trip will take about 3 hours. |
Last modified 7 September 2003.