KING Valley residents are living in fear as the absence of a permanent police presence at Whitfield drags out to almost 18 months.
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More than 40 locals raised their concerns about public safety risks caused by rogue hunters, hoon drivers and highly stressed members of volunteer emergency services with Victorian shadow minister for police Edward O’Donohue at an impromptu public meeting outside the town’s unmanned police station.
Whitfield has been without a police officer since before Easter last year with the town relying on the efforts of another single-member station at Moyhu, 25 kilometres away.
Mr O’Donohue has vowed to raise the issue in Parliament at the next opportunity and hopes to replicate the success the Coalition had in reversing the earlier decision not to have a police presence at ski resorts this winter.
Caravan park operator Russell Bird said residents felt like they were living in a “lawless town” with the absence of police.
“You can drive home from the pub drunk and you never have to worry about speed limits,” he said.
“I’ve been threatened with assault and I’ve witnessed numerous incidents of hoon driving.
“We’ve got friends at Myrhee and their child was spot-lighted feeding the dogs after dark.
“They are petrified.”
Thomas Moritz, who lives further up the King Valley at Upper Rose River, said issues with some hunters was out of control.
“You can take their number plates and do whatever, but nothing happens,” he said.
“The most scary thing is poachers from the road with high-powered rifles.
“They don’t know where the livestock is, where the houses are.
“They are shooting blind.”
Mr O’Donohue said the government had re-iterated its support for the state’s 105 one-man police stations in April, but Whitfield’s circumstances were unique.
“We don’t want a Clayton’s station,” he said.
“Not being closed means it is open and being open means there is someone there.”
