THE Stockinbingal community and local police are joining forces to reclaim the village from petty criminals.
In an effort to put this intention into action a community meeting was organised.
The meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the Stockinbingal Bowling Club and was attended by about 80 people.
Present at the meeting were a large number of Stockinbingal locals, Cootamundra residents, police including Cootamundra Local Area Commander Peter Wanczura, Cootamundra Local Area Command newly appointed crime prevention officer Peter Guthrie and Stockinbingal police officer Justin Knewstub, Cootamundra Shire councillors Dennis Palmer, Paul Braybrooks, Cootamundra mayor Doug Phillips, deputy mayor Jim Slattery and Gloria Schultz representing her husband Alby who is the Member for Hume.
The meeting was chaired by Stockinbingal local Peter Nielsen and was an opportunity for local residents who have been targeted by acts of vandalism and theft to have their say and raise concerns with police and local government representatives.
Most people were supportive of the police and indicated their willingness to do all they can to help the police catch the offenders and put them before the courts, however it appeared a minority of people were at the meeting solely to attack the police and the legal system.
Shortly after the meeting was declared open, Cootamundra Local Area Commander Peter Wanczura took to the floor.
Superintendent Wanczura began by
thanking the community for inviting him to the meeting.
“All crime, no matter how petty it may be is a concern for police,” superintendent Wanczura said.
He reiterated exactly how big the Cootamundra Local Area Command (LAC) is, stating it covers 45,000 square kilometres including 17 stations.
“The police have limited resources and staff and we do have to prioritise incidents, however every incident is fully investigated to gather evidence to put the offenders before the courts,” Superintendent Wanczura said.
“I can assure each and everyone here today that you all live in one of the safest commands in the state,” He added.
“The statistics of crime in the Cootamundra LAC show and continue to prove this.”
Superintendent Wanczura stated he is hopeful that Tuesday’s meeting would result in the police being able to work more proactively with the community.
Despite a noticed spike in crime at Stockinbingal, police figures show that some of the crime is not being reported to police.
Recent criminal acts in the village include the Stockinbingal Railway Station and general store being targeted by graffiti vandals, another business in the village being broken into and items stolen, gates being deliberately left open allowing stock to get out and solar lights and plants being stolen from front yards.
Stockinbingal residents say over the past three months in particular their village has been targeted by vandals, thieves and graffiti artists, however police statistics show that during these months police received only five reports of malicious damage and seven incidents of theft.
Superintendent Wanczura said he has tasked additional police in the village due to Senior Constable Justin Knewstub being on light duties as a result of a current injury.
“The police presence in Stockinbingal has been increased, we are conducting patrols at sporadic times and doing regular walk throughs of the Stockinbingal Hotel and Bowling Club,” he said.
After an hour of some of the Stockinbingal locals attacking the work of the police, some residents took a stand and begged the police for an answer on what the people of Stockinbingal could do to help the police.
This comment received a round of applause by a large percentage of those in attendance.
Senior Constable Peter Guthrie encouraged the Stockinbingal community to band together and report all crime. He personally offered his services as the crime prevention officer to conduct audits on houses and local businesses in an effort to reduce crime and act as a deterrent for vandals.
Senior Constable Guthrie is happy for anyone with any safety concerns or just for advice on crime prevention to contact him at the Cootamundra Police Station.
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