Community
19 July, 2024
Police meet and greet reveals key issues
DERRINALLUM and Lismore residents had the opportunity to meet with their local police officer and discuss community issues recently.
A meet and greet was held at the Derrinallum Library last Thursday, with many residents taking the opportunity to drop by and have a chat with Lismore Police Senior Constable Mitch Prewett.
Libraries coordinator Kat Wilson said it gave residents the chance to meet Snr Const Prewett, who started earlier in the year.
“The meet and greet was well attended and was a great chance for residents to get to know Mitch and to ask any questions,” she said.
Snr Const Prewett said the event went “really well”, with many community members engaging with him.
“Some progress has been made to move forward with some of the community issues that were raised,” he said.
“There was one key issue that certainly stood out, and that was road user behaviour down the main street of Derrinallum.
“It’s primarily speeding offences during early hours of the morning and evening time, with drivers doing in excess of 80-85 kilometres an hour in the 60 zone.
“The Derrinallum Progress Association, myself and the Lismore Progress Association are in discussions to set up a focus group meeting in order to potentially lower the speed zone to 50 kilometres an hour through town.”
Snr Const Prewett said the meet and greet was important to both him and the community.
“I’m aware that a police member has not been at Lismore in a permanent capacity for some time, and I think, because of that, there has been some disconnect between police and the local community,” he said.
“I’m keen to rebuild that relationship.”