NOVEMBER 7, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Marco De Luca)
A time to remember Thousands are expected to gather in Melton to commemorate the dead and celebrate the living for Remembrance Day this weekend. Saturday, November 11, marks the 99th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. Ben Arthur, Kevin Murray and Ian Lawrey will be among those observing a minute’s silence at 11am in memory of those who died or suffered in wars and armed conflicts. More than half a million poppies are expected to be sold in Victoria in the annual Poppy Appeal with a group of Melton Returned and Services League volunteers selling them to raise funds to help current and former service men and women. Mr Lawrey, Melton sub-branch president, is appreciative of the commitment shown by members and volunteers who make the appeal a success. “Year in, year out, our community rallies together to support the Poppy Appeal in the lead up to Remembrance Day,” he said. “I would like to thank the local community who support our sub-branch and wear their poppy in November.” Residents are invited to gather at the cenotaph in Melton from 10.30am on Saturday to observe a minute of silence at 11am. There will be light refreshments to follow at the Melton Country Club. BEN ARTHUR, KEVIN MURRAY AND IAN LAWREY
Esther Lauaki
Thieves cop extra attention By Esther Lauaki Caroline Springs police are cracking down on shoplifting and anti-social behaviour to curb repeat offending. Plain clothes police made up to 20 arrests across five operations in as many weeks at Caroline Springs shopping centre. Police, with the help of centre loss prevention officers and security, made eight arrests over a six-hour blitz last Wednesday. Senior Sergeant Jason Dolman said the “grassroots approach” was aimed at simple
offending with potential to contribute to more serious crime. “Over the five operations that have been conducted, we’ve made a number of arrests,” he said. “They’ve included persons from outside the area … we’re doing our bit to deter the people coming in and stealing.” Among the offenders, a 62-year-old man and 58-year-old woman were caught attempting to shoplift makeup in a pram and other items in the woman’s handbag. In other incidents, a 52-year-old woman was seen placing meat
trays into her handbag and down her pants and a 62-year-old man was nabbed placing toothpaste into a pocket and tea towels down his pants. All will appear at Sunshine Magistrates Court at a later date. “As the common, essential goods become more expensive, people start to steal them,” Senior Sergeant Dolman said. “Things like petrol and meat are no longer a cheap commodity – and the need for police to target these thefts increases.” He said the aim of his officers was to deliver
proactive work in the community to drive down crime. “I think [Caroline Springs police] have to be more proactive and out there engaging with the community,” he said. “We will continue to deliver our shop-steal operations, breath-testing operations and our petrol drive-off operations. That will help drive down crime and reinforce the perception of safety.” CS Square shopping centre manager Rod Kennedy said the safety and wellbeing of customers and retailers was the “No.1 priority”.