JULY 26, 2017 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Copper cabbies pull rank By Alesha Capone
Leading Senior Constable Natalie Briggs and First Constable Haylee Cameron on patrol in Werribee. (Alesha Capone)
experienced crime while they were on the job, the new police operation was a “pro-active” campaign rather than a response to any recent offences against cabbies. Senior Sergeant Riches said the new police tactics would not take the place of the Tiger Team security patrols run by 13CABS but would “complement them”. “We hope this will create some conversation around taxi drivers and the good work they do and make people think twice about acting up,” he said. Senior Sergeant Riches said police in Wyndham and Maribyrnong were working on other ways to help boost safety for cabbies, with their findings to be submitted to 13CABS and the Taxi Services Commission for consideration. He encouraged anyone with information about crimes committed against taxi drivers to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
infocus
TURN TO PA G E 2 7
(Damjan Janevski)
Wyndham police are donning taxi driver uniforms and posing as cabbies as part of an “unusual and unconventional” way to fight crime. Senior Sergeant Aaron Riches said the tactic was aimed at boosting taxi driver and public safety. He said it would also give police a “great opportunity” to catch people on outstanding warrants. On Friday afternoon, two police officers in 13CABS uniforms and driving a taxi patrolled the area around Pacific Werribee and nearby public transport hubs. At the same time, police officers patrolled the shopping centre on foot. Senior Sergeant Riches said the operation was a success, with officers arresting five people for shoplifting. He said Wyndham police would continue to run the taxi-based operations on a regular basis until Christmas at busy locations such as shopping centres and carparks. “It is something different – it is something a bit left of centre and out of the box,” he said. Senior Sergeant Riches said there was a very good chance passengers getting into taxis in Wyndham would find police officers dressed as cabbies operating the vehicle. “That may happen and there may have to be a conversation that this cab isn’t for hire,” he said. Senior Sergeant Riches said that although many Melbourne taxi drivers
Online gig a dream role Tarneit teenager Marina Amanatiadis, who says she was “born to perform”, has landed her first major acting role – in the second season of online drama series Counter Play Play. On hearing she had won the part, Amanatiadis, 18, said she “quite literally began jumping up and down from excitement”. The first season of Counter Play attracted more than 1.5 million views since being released online last November. Created by director Chrys Phillips, the fictional series was filmed in Melbourne and focused on wealth and corruption in three families. Amanatiadis said taking the lead role in a high school musical helped her to realise that she could become an actress. “The feeling I get when I’m performing on stage is a feeling I get nowhere else.” Filming starts in October. Alesha Capone