THE new $11 million Ballajura Police Station is set to open its doors January 9, with works nearing completion after seven years of community campaigning.
The Cassowary Drive facility will cover Ballajura, Malaga, Koondoola, Alexander Heights, Landsdale, Darch and Noranda and accommodate up to 30 officers.
No police have been based in the suburb since a shopfront station closed in 2009 and currently Ellenbrook-based officers service the community.
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READ NOWA WA Police spokeswoman said officers attached to the police station would be rostered 24/7 with a front counter operating business hours.
“WA Police is currently focused on four crime offences namely domestic violence, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft and these will also be prioritised by Ballajura,” she said.
West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti said Ballajura was a big suburb and over the years it had been patrolled by different stations.
“Logistically (having different stations patrol the area is) very difficult, it’s hard to get a continued police presence in the community, police cars have to drive back such a long way to the home stations,” she said.
“Having a police station will increase the physical presence and I think it will act as a greater deterrent for crime.
“It’s a bit later than (the Government) anticipated, they were saying before Christmas, but I think everyone would be looking forward to a police station in Ballajura.”
Ms Saffioti said the station would allow officers to gather local knowledge and let residents talk to their local officers about issues.