A stitch in time to save us the crime

Fairfield Champion, 12 June 2002

POLICE commissioner Ken Moroney last week returned to where his career began - the streets of Cabramatta.

As a young constable in 1969, Mr Moroney worked with the local traffic patrols.

On Thursday night, he returned to the area in a surprise visit as the state's top cop - and he couldn't help reminiscing.

"I worked out of a two-man call box, measuring about 6ft by 6ft which stood around about where the flagpole is outside the present police station," Mr Moroney said.

"It was a very different community then - mostly Italian and Yugoslavs."

Mr Moroney has kept abreast of more recent changes, not only as a senior policeman, but because his wife is keen on sewing.

"I've spent many a time standing outside the fabric shops of Cabramatta waiting for Bev," he said.

Mr Moroney made his surprise visit to Cabramatta police station with local MP Reba Meagher before attending a meeting of the city watch committee.

There seemed to be a genuine affection for the new boss among the rank and file officers, as he walked into the station he greeted several by name.

Mr Moroney told the Champion that he was well aware of the issues facing Cabramatta.

"There is only one priority - bringing down crime and equally the fear of crime which is as destabilising as crime itself," he said. "People can be assured that all of the police resources will be focused on Cabramatta."

He added that police would be employing a number of operation tactics to compliment the existing police resources in Cabramatta.

But he insisted it is not just the police who fight crime, calling on effective partnerships between police and all levels of government and the community.

Mr Moroney's comments echoed a letter he wrote to Fairfield councillor Thang Ngo.

"I am developing a range of operational strategies that will focus on the police in both driving down crime and equally as important, reducing the fear of crime," Mr Moroney penned.

Cr Ngo urged the commissioner to take a hands-on interest in Cabramatta.