CONTINUING to crack down on crime, engaging with the community and “locking up crooks” are among the main goals of new Shoalhaven Police Local Area Commander, Superintendent Steve Hegarty.
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Supt Hegarty has taken over the top job from Supt Joe Cassar, who is now in charge of the Wollongong command.
The Shoalhaven is not new to the superintendent, who was a general duties officer in the area from 1994 to 2007, rising to the rank of sergeant in charge of the local highway patrol for the last five years of his stay.
He said proactive policing, with more officers visible on the beat, was another of his goals including some “old fashioned policing” and “locking up crooks”.
“Having looked at the police, the tasking and results I don’t see any major issues here,” he said.
“I see a lot of young keen police who have a good workrate.
“There is a perception crime is out of control and clearly it’s not.
“Of course, drugs are an issue, as they are in most regions of the state.
“It is a clear focus, not just here in the Shoalhaven but statewide and federally. Every police station in NSW is tackling it - ice and other drugs.
“It’s not just a police issue, it’s a community issue as well.
“As the commissioner said, we can’t arrest our way out of it. There has to be more processes in place and if we work to a plan with the federal government and NSW premier we will work in the right direction.”
He acknowledged the success of last year’s Strike Force Croci, cracking down on illegal drugs in the Shoalhaven and said operations were ongoing.
“Dob in a Dealer will be launched through Crime Stoppers later this month and again I urge the community to continue to provide information,” he said.
“We rely heavily on the community for information and we want that to continue. We want information on local drug activities or any other crime.
“There are many avenues people can provide information, by calling their local station, Crime Stoppers and the customer service line.
“All information is treated seriously and confidentially.”
"I want to focus on the old days of locking crooks up."
- Superintendent Steve Hegarty
Having come from the Communications Information Command in Sydney, Supt Hegarty said he understands the differences between policing in the city and country.
“This is definitely the country and we have to do that country style of consultation with the community and get as much information from them as we can,” he said.
“I want to get more police out on the beat and focus on the old days of locking crooks up.
“But there is also the same sort of stuff everyone does, youth cautioning and drug cautioning and we are guided by the legislation that is given to us but I believe we should be focused on more high visibility, proactive policing and if we get a chance to lock crooks up, lock them up.”
He believes having worked in the area before is an advantage.
“Many think it is not good to come back to a location,” he said “ I think it is so much easier to come back here.
“I’ve been here two weeks and it is amazing how the same issues exist.
“The staff is really really good, we have some young people and more experienced officers.”
He said cross border operations with both Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Commands would be ongoing, sharing resources.
“Be it highway patrol, drug operations or other proactive operations,” he said.
“People have to forget the idea that a police station in Nowra just looks after Nowra - it is a launching pad. Operations are planned from here and if we need more police we just get more officers from throughout the region.
“It’s about tasking. Having facilities in the right locations and about tasking and deployment of those resources to where they are needed.
“The concept of having police in areas for the sake of having them there is old. The new concept is to work out where issues are and task the appropriate resources to that area, see if you can quell or stop the issue and then move onto the next problem.”
Aware of the calls for the promised Bay and Basin police station he said at this stage he was unsure of a time frame on the project.