Signs will remind of theft risk
The Peninsula will be included in a new campaign reminding residents and visitors to the Central Coast to be mindful of thefts from motor vehicles in public car parks this summer.
The Look, Lock, Leave campaign is a joint initiative with Gosford Council, NSW Police and the NSW Department Premier and Cabinet to reduce the risk of theft from cars parked at local beaches, sporting grounds and other public facilities.
Over the coming weeks, it aims to educate the public on how to keep their cars safe.
Electronic sign boards will be posted at Picnic Pde in Ettalong Beach, along Brisbane Water Dr and Empire Bay Dr on the approach to the Peninsula, according to campaign coordinator Mr Andrew Stuart.
Mr Stuart said the signs would be temporarily erected in the week leading up to and following Australia Day.
The campaign is part of a broader initiative aimed at minimising anti-social behaviour on the Central Coast this summer.
Police crime coordinator senior sergeant Vivienne Crawford said the initiative focused on reducing specific anti-social behaviour.
"The initiative is targeting a range of anti-social behaviour including over consumption and secondary supply of alcohol, malicious damage caused by alcohol consumption, intolerance, helping people to get home safely and of course theft from motor vehicles with the Look, Lock, Leave campaign," senior sergeant Crawford said.
"We are aiming to target known local hot spots for these kinds of anti-social behaviour and are also looking at key dates around known celebrations where we have had issues of anti-social behaviour in the past."
Gosford mayor Cr Chris Holstein said Look, Lock, Leave is spearheading the summer safety campaign to remind people that they can assist in creating a safer environment on the Peninsula this summer.
"The Look Lock Leave campaign is about making it easy for visitors and community members to take responsibility in helping to reduce the risk of theft from motor vehicles and creating a safer environment for everyone to enjoy," Cr Holstein said.
"The campaign operates on the premise that by taking a few simple steps including removing all valuables from cars, closing windows, not hiding keys or covering items, removing traces of GPS systems in cars and remembering to lock vehicles, members of the public can contribute to a safer environment for us all."
Press release, 7 Jan 2010
Alison Hood, Gosford Council