POLITICIANS and police have been left in no doubt about the level of concern about crime in the central Shoalhaven, with more than 500 people attending a crime crisis meeting at Sanctuary Point on Monday night.
There was standing room only at the sometimes emotional meeting in the auditorium of the St Georges Basin Country Club.
Organised by former Shoalhaven City councillor Bob Proudfoot in response to the spate of serious crimes committed in the central Shoalhaven, the meeting called on politicians and police to immediately provide more officers for the central Shoalhaven and establish a 24-hour police station in the area.
South Coast MP Shelley Hancock and Shoalhaven Police Local Area Commander Superintendent Joe Cassar came in for some intense questioning from the crowd, which pleaded that something be done in their area.
Concerns raised by the crowd included the increase of serious crimes such as the recent spate of armed robberies and ram raids, the prevalence of ice in the area, drivers “hooning” in cars, through to not being able to contact local police and the time it takes for officers to respond.
Locals claim the crime rate is much higher than police statistics indicate as many crimes go unreported as residents are either too scared to report incidents, or are unable to contact police.
Source: South Coast Register