Crime prevention drive

THE police are going to the community, with the Lake Illawarra local area command launching its own crime prevention van.

While the LAC already shares such a van with Dubbo and Redfern, with each area having it for a month at a time, this is the first occasion in NSW where a police station purchased its own van.

Seargent John Klepczarek, from Warilla Police Station, said the vehicle was "a large van which will be driven around by volunteers in policing and occasionally accompanied by police".

The van was bought with the help of donations from Kiama, Shellharbour and Wollongong councils, the Attorney General's department and the NRMA.

It will be fitted out specifically for crime prevention purposes with plasma screens, speakers and a Playstation, all donated by Harvey Norman. There will also be a display of locks and alarms so people can see some of the different types available and how they work.

"We can pull up anywhere and open the doors and put on a crime prevention video or DVD," Sgt Klepczarek said.

"For example, if there's an area where there has been a number of break-ins, we could park in that street and doorknock and explain to residents our crime prevention services, like engraving."

"Also, we can go to places with youth activities and talk to [young people] about crime prevention and engage with them."

The information available from the van covers topics including safety at home and personal safety.

"This is all about being seen, raising the profile of crime prevention and also engaging with the community," Sgt Klepczarek said.

"A lot of people haven't got the time to come to a police station, or might be hesitant to, so this brings crime prevention to the people."