SmartWater: making positive headlines
The impact of SmartWater as a criminal deterrent is becoming increasingly apparent every day. Police forces around the world are using and supporting The SmartWater Strategy, and most importantly criminals are taking notice – living with the fear of being caught and convicted of crimes long after they have taken place.
The following stories highlight the success of The SmartWater Strategy when deployed by regional police as part of their crime reduction initiatives. Each success story gives information detailing the specifics of the crime reduction strategy as well as their objectives, and examples of the press coverage that each initiative achieved.
28/07/11Crime epidemic continues
Region hit by 44 commercial burglaries in two months
28/Jul/2011
By Caroline Frank, Melville Times
Comments: 1 reader has left a comment
Crime prevention officer Sergeant Scott McCormick with Aura Woman manager Linda Molendijk and Kim’s Bakery manager Rose Nguyen.
UP to 44 commercial burglaries have been committed in Applecross, Melville, Myaree, Palmyra and East Fremantle since June 1.
The most recent took place at Kim’s Bakery Cafe and Aura Woman fashion boutique in Applecross last week.
In both cases, offenders used a paving brick to smash the glass panel of the front door to gain entry, stealing petty cash and any easily removed property.
Aura Woman manager Linda Molendijk said police arrived within four minutes, but the offenders had already broken into Kim’s Bakery next door.
“People need to be aware that this is happening and it will be a community effort to stop this from happening to other people,” she said.
“The police have given us good ideas about taking the till tray out and putting a sign out that says no money is kept on the premises.”
South Metropolitan Crime Prevention officer Sergeant Scott McCormick said small business owners should not leave large amounts of unsecured cash on premises overnight.
Police recommended that money was banked daily or secured in a safe.
“It is imperative that small businesses ensure that their premises do not have loose bricks lying around or used to prop open doors,” he said.
“We need assistance from the community to report suspicious behaviour and or if anyone knows these offenders’ identity to call Crime Stoppers or 131 444.”
Report courtesy of the Western Suburbs Weekly
What everyone else is thinking
Haggis
28/07/2011
Were the police not aware of the many burglaries taking place, surely a police presence would have defused the situation, to suggest people should bank their money etc, is just a joke, are they on another planet?
