Mernda residents step up heat for cop shop

Mernda police station campaigner Tom Joseph has thrown down the gauntlet to local politicians to pledge funds if they want votes at this year’s state election.

He says locals are growing increasingly concerned about house and business break-ins, as well as hoon driving.

The campaign for a full-time police presence in the Mernda-Doreen area, launched on Facebook in December, has generated more than 3000 ‘likes’.

“This is an unprecedented achievement considering the campaign started only a little over a month ago,” Mr Joseph said, urging locals to keep the signatures coming.

He has written to local state MPs, Labor’s Danielle Green (Yan Yean)and Liberal Craig Ondarchie (Northern Metropolitan), both of whom have ‘liked’ the online petition.

Mr Joseph said the government should make a police station at Mernda a priority and announce funding in the May budget.

“Volunteers will be going out to the school gates, shopping centres, sports clubs, markets and shops to meet residents and ask them to join the campaign,” Mr Joseph said.

» facebook.com/MerndaNeedsaPoliceStation