A June update from Sergeant Dean Parrello - 'Coffee with a Cop'
Wednesday, 23rd June 2021
Hi all. I haven’t written in a couple of months due to being on some well-deserved leave. I jumped straight back into it with Coffee with a Cop in St. Leonards, with thanks to Salty Cow Cafe for hosting. There was a great turn out and wonderful to meet some of the locals from both the St. Leonards and Indented Head community. Similar to Drysdale, the main theme of the day was ‘hoon drivers’, along with speeding motorists.
As a result, I have targeted our traffic focus in identified areas not only in the St. Leonards/Indented Head area, but the entire Northern Bellarine Peninsula. Hopefully you see us out and about or have seen our results on the Geelong Eyewatch Facebook page.
Next month will see us teaming up with the Geelong Highway Patrol, later in the evening, targeting the hoons. This will be run over several days. I have also placed a request for assistance from the Police Airwing. We recently had one driver have their car impounded for 28 days at a great financial expense. For all residents who may have information for us, please report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. For those who witness or hear any hoon driving, please call 000 and the nearest police unit will be dispatched. It could be the nights we are targeting hoon drivers!
Due to popularity, the next Coffee with a Cop will be held in Portarlington. Date and venue to be advised. We will advertise this through our Facebook page – Geelong Eyewatch.
With the recent lockdown, along with my recent visit to QLD and S.A, my topic for this newsletter relates to COVID-19. As you will be aware, QR codes are now compulsory at businesses. Don’t be afraid, just check in. It helps with contact tracing. More importantly, if you asked by a staff member to check in or provide your details, please be kind, courteous and oblige. They are only doing their job, along with what the medical experts would like us to do. I hear of so many employees being abused just for asking – don’t be a bully. If you see this behaviour, call it out! My recent trip interstate had me checking in everywhere, which became the norm. I took some comfort in that if there was an exposure site I visited, I would be contacted quickly.
I would also like to remind you of the COVID-19 information hotline – 1800 675398. This is staffed to answer your questions, particularly on restrictions. We receive many calls here, which take us away from our duties.
For the Curlewis residents, I am aware of some concerns regarding Tivoli Drive. My staff, along with the Highway Patrol are working on enforcement to slow the traffic down. Hopefully, this has the desired effect. We are also looking at the possibility of having this approved as a mobile speed camera location.
Remember, if you wish to report something that is happening and need police, call 000. If you wish to report a crime that has previously happened, you can report it to the Police Assistance Line on 131444. They will take a report on our behalf and send it to us to investigate. If you wish to report suspicious activity anonymously that does not require immediate police attendance, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Thanks for reading and stay safe,
Sergeant Dean Parrello
Officer in Charge,
Portarlington Police Station
Source: Cate O'Keefe
