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Beat copper best

Tom Hoyer, ByfordComment News

Former Armadale mayor, now Local Government Commissioner, Linton Reynolds alerted ratepayers about the impact of local government amalgamations.

Essentially, he suggests that there will be an increased ‘cost of living’ fallout through larger rates and other costs.

Yet the State Government is stating that there will a range of financial and other operational efficiencies.

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I’m with Linton.

As a former councillor in Serpentine Jarrahdale, my investigations on the experiences in the eastern States showed no benefit to ordinary residents and ratepayers.

In fact with the general cost shifting from all the States to local government continuing without let up, it looks like another case of ‘spin, spin and spin’ until after the election and then claim a mandate and push it through.

I suggest that if the true cost of services is identified and the commensurate funding is supplied, there would be no reason to damage local government.

The real deceit is with the ‘720 more police’ and a ‘tough on crime’ proposition. The police report suggests that while there is a crime issue, it is not the huge problem that we think it is.

Yes, we need to look at repeat offenders, but many of these are ‘known’ persons. The real issue is those who are just starting.

What about a bit of imagination and detail along with the statement ‘we will dedicate these police to restoring the ‘community cop on the beat’ ideal’.

Anyone aged more than 50 will remember your local copper who lived in the town, played sport for the local team, knew everyone and had a daily contact with the community they lived and worked in.

They knew all of the young people and what they were up to. And they knew who the parents were.

What about an early intervention strategy with our young people, by encouraging police officers to take up school, YMCA or PCYC duties without compromising their pay and penalties.

Anyway, that’s what I am thinking about.