POLICE were out in force on Friday morning asking commuters how safety could be improved at Sunshine railway station.
The safety blitz, from 5.30-9.30am, followed a community ‘listening post’ conducted by Brimbank Council in April when residents highlighted safety in and around Sunshine station as their greatest concern.
Brimbank and Melton crime prevention officer, Acting Sergeant Electra Wellens said Friday’s blitz was designed to empower residents to report crime and suspicious activity.
“We realise it’s a complex issue and we wanted to hear first-hand what people’s concerns in the community were, so they can be implemented into plans for restructure of the station.”
Acting Sergeant Wellens said she was overwhelmed by commuters’ response.
“Some people had no concerns while others were worried about their personal safety, wanting better lighting and a more visible security presence, more guards, more police and closed-circuit TV cameras.”
Sunshine resident Carol Crockett said she refused to go to the station at night, taking a bus instead of the train. “It’s not so bad near the bus terminals, but I find it intimidating on the train platforms,” she said.
“Particularly as a woman when there are groups of young men standing together it can be quite frightening. I find I’m always on edge and looking around me.”
Lisa, who did not want her surname revealed, said she refused to go to the station after 5pm.
“I wouldn’t even consider catching the train home from work at night,” she said.
“Feeling so unsafe that you don’t even want go to the station defeats the purpose of having public transport.”
Sunshine trader Hiep Nguyen often feels unsafe in his cafe on Hampshire Road.
He says there should be more free activities to engage youth and help reduce gang activity at the station.
A council survey last year revealed one in six residents cited safety and crime as the city’s biggest problem.
Acting Sergeant Wellens said there were plans to increase the presence of transit police and protective service officers in coming weeks.
Brimbank administrator Meredith Sussex said the council had implemented a cycle of quarterly meetings with Metro Trains and Public Transport Victoria to work to improve safety.
