Deer Park: PSOs ready to walk the beat at railway station

Deer Park railway station has ramped up safety efforts with Protective Services Officers beginning patrols last week.

The PSOs will patrol the train platform, car parks and immediate surroundings.

A minimum of two PSOs will patrol the Deer Park station from 6pm to after the last train every night.

Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn said public safety was paramount, and “the Napthine government is doing its part to ensure our streets and public transport are safer”.

PSO Manindher Singh was one of the officers on the first shift at Deer Park railway station last Tuesday.

“It’s a great way to serve the community,” Mr Singh said. “I chose this occupation mainly to help those travelling on the train to feel safer.”

Mr Finn said the state government was on track to recruit and deploy 940 PSOs to suburban rail stations and major regional centres by November 2014.

“The rollout of PSOs across the rail network is a major investment in community safety and part of the Victorian government’s commitment to building a better and safe Victoria,” Mr Finn said.

“People who use trains have told us they welcome the rollout of PSOs.”

Sunshine, Albion, Ginifer, St Albans and Watergardens stations also have PSOs patrolling the platforms and immediate surroundings every night.

Since their initial deployment in February 2012, PSOs have issued more than 29,000 infringement notices at stations across Melbourne’s rail network.