29/5/96
The State Government's multi-million dollar commitment to improving police facilities in Western Australia is right on track with the opening of the new Scarborough police station, according to Police Minister Bob Wiese.
Mr Wiese said the new $1.7 million police facility was essential to help working police officers deliver the level of service which the community required and had a right to expect.
"It is an investment in the community's fight against crime," he said.
"It is essential to supply police officers with the facilities and equipment necessary to do their job effectively and efficiently."
Mr Wiese said the previous government had neglected any form of development or even planning to increase the police facilities in Scarborough to keep abreast of the high rate of population growth.
"It is shameful that nothing was done to the station during a decade of Labor government which blatantly ignored the plight of police operating in a building that was 40 years old and originally designed to house only three officers," he said.
The State Government has allocated more than $52 million over three years for new equipment and to upgrade metropolitan and country police stations and the new Scarborough police station is the fourth station to be completed in this program.
New stations have been opened in Kwinana, Forrestfield and Leeman over the last three months and new stations at Australind and Meekatharra should be completed by September/October.
Opening the new Scarborough 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 even to 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.
The Minister said that securing homes with alarms and proper deadlocks on doors and windows and installing 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 in catching crooks, rather than dealing with the aftermath of a break-in," Mr Wiese said.
The new Scarborough police facility is the first two-storey station designed and built using the new WA police building code, which has been nominated for national awards.
Mr Wiese said the building had a projected life span of 50 years and was designed to expand with future staff increases. The new station catered for both general duties staff and a criminal investigation branch.
"The striking architectural features complement the changing face of the Scarborough area and its prominent location provides for easy access by the local community," he said.
Media contact: Mark Thompson 322 2311
