The man tasked with running the recently opened Mernda police station is confident it is already helping to reduce crime.
The $15 million station – on the corner of Bridge Inn Road and Pimpinella Pass – opened its doors on November 19.
Three months on, station commander Dean Delle-Vergini said the new station and its officers were making a big difference in the community.
“We have seen a reduction in crime across the board,” Senior Sergeant Delle-Vergini said.
“We have extra units and members out there engaging with the community.
“People have told us they are noticing an increase in the visible police presence in the area.”
The station is home to close to 50 uniformed officers, including 45 new personnel.
It also houses the Whittlesea Family Violence Unit, Mernda Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team and Sex Offenders Register, and the Whittlesea area commander, Inspector Andrew Falconer.
The station was officially opened by Police Minister Lisa Neville and Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton last Wednesday.
The station is the result of close to four years of campaigning by residents who were concerned about soaring crime rates in their growing suburb.
Senior Sergeant Delle-Vergini said the station was responsible for responding to calls-outs in Mernda, Doreen and South Morang. It covers a significant part of the Whittlesea police area, freeing up police in Whittlesea, Mill Park and Epping.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the new station was an excellent resource for the local community
“Mernda police station is a state-of-the-art facility that has been constructed to service the community now and well into the future,” he said. “As the population of Melbourne’s northern suburbs continues to grow, we are ensuring that the police response grows with it.
“The local police response for the Whittlesea region is now stronger than ever with this brand new station and 45 additional frontline police joining the police service area.”
