11/9/96
The State Government's multi-million dollar commitment to improving police facilities in Western Australia is right on track with construction for the new station at Belmont expected to start next month.
Police Minister Bob Wiese said the new $1.8 million police facility was essential to assist working police officers deliver the level of service which the local community required and had a right to expect.
"It is an investment in the community's fight against crime," Mr Wiese said.
"It is essential to supply police officers with the facilities and equipment necessary to do their job effectively and efficiently."
The Minister said the appalling inadequacies of the existing Belmont facilities were the direct result of years of neglect by the previous Government in failing to keep abreast of the high rate of population growth.
He said the new state-of-the art facility would be located on Abernethy Road, near the Belmont High School and the Cloverdale Primary School. The station was expected to be completed and operational by July next year.
The State Government had allocated more than $52 million over three years for new equipment and the upgrading of metropolitan and country police stations. Construction of the new Belmont police station was part of this program.
New stations had been opened in Kwinana, Forrestfield, Leeman and Scarborough and new stations at Australind and Meekatharra should be completed by October/November.
Mr Wiese said building a new Belmont police station would help create a better liaison point between police and the local community in the fight against crime. He said the onus was on everyone to play a part and get involved in community-based programs to combat crime and to properly secure their own property.
"The key to crime-fighting is an active partnership between the community and police, because the role each plays can make a major difference in preventing and solving crime," he said.
The Minister 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 that household items were engraved also assisted police in the recovery of stolen goods and in tracking down of those responsible.
"Crime prevention is the way to go and taking these precautions allows police resources to be better spent on catching crooks, rather than dealing with the aftermath of a break-in," Mr Wiese said.
He said the new Belmont building had a projected life span of 50 years and was designed to expand with future staff increases. The new station would cater for both general duties staff and a criminal investigation branch.
"The striking architectural features complement the changing face of the Belmont area and its prominent location will provide for easy access by the local community," he said.
Media contact: Mark Thompson on 222 9595
