Call for major police hub in Fremantle
29.04.09
Labor candidate for Fremantle Peter Tagliaferri today said he would support calls for a major police 'hub' to be established in Fremantle.
Mr Tagliaferri said 'hub' style police stations were part of WA Police's strategy to develop modern police resources across the State.
"Major police hubs offer an effective and efficient front line policing service to communities. It means CIB, traffic and lockup would be all in the one facility.
"Last month Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan told the Estimates and Financial Operations Committee into Public Sector Expenditure that the development of major police hubs was the preferred method of policing for the 21st century.
"A police complex based in Fremantle, similar to the one planned in Northbridge, would help police combat anti-social behaviour in one of Perth's major entertainment and tourist areas."
Mr Tagliaferri said Fremantle was the ideal location for a concentration of policing services including the WA Police, Australian Federal Police and Australian Customs Services.
"Our busy port deserves a high profile, well-resourced police presence and I will urge both the State and Federal Governments to invest in co-locating these services in a central hub complex," he said.
"It is essential to have a highly functional and secure base for all of these important operations and for our officers to have access to the best facilities and technology available.
Mr Tagliaferri said he had worked closely with WA Police and local businesses to improve safety throughout the electorate and he was confident the development of a police hub would further improve safety in the area.
"I recently joined local Fremantle police and rangers from 12am to 3am on a Saturday morning as they patrolled Fremantle streets.
"Our officers do a wonderful job but it is clear they would benefit from additional resources and a central base.
"Fremantle has a reputation as a great family town and I am determined to ensure that people of all ages continue to enjoy the unique character of our city and surrounding suburbs without being subject to anti-social behaviour."