13/3/96
Police Minister Bob Wiese today urged communities in Leeman, Eneabba and Green Head to actively support and assist police in the fight against crime.
Opening the new Leeman police station, Mr Wiese said there was a tendency for some people to be complacent about getting involved in community-based programs to combat crime or to even properly secure their own property.
"The key to crime-fighting is an active partnership between the community and police because the role each of us plays can make a major difference in preventing and solving crime," he said.
Mr Wiese said to secure homes with alarms and proper deadlocks on doors and windows and to install vehicle immobilisers were positive steps to deter thieves. Ensuring household items were engraved also assisted police in the recovery of stolen goods and in tracking down those responsible.
"Crime must be stopped before it happens and taking these precautions allows police resources to be better spent on catching crooks, rather than dealing with the aftermath of a break-in," he said.
The Minister said the new $451,000 Leeman police station was an investment in the community's fight against crime.
"Providing better facilities and equipment for our working police is crucial to assisting them to deliver the level of service which the community requires and have a right to expect," Mr Wiese said.
The Minister said the State Government was committed to ensuring police could do their job effectively and efficiently and had allocated $52 million over three years for new equipment and to upgrade metropolitan and country police stations.
New police stations have been opened in Forrestfield and Kwinana and the new Scarborough police station is now completed and almost ready for occupation by police officers.
Mr Wiese said the new Leeman station had been designed using the new WA police building code, which had been nominated for national awards.
He said the building had a projected life span of 50 years and was designed to expand with future staff increases.
"The striking architectural features complement the changing face of the Leeman region and its prominent location will provide for better access by the local community," Mr Wiese said.
Media contact: Mark Thompson 222 9595
