Posted on Oct 17, 2017
Senior Constable Jo Pokiri with Victoria Police is presently the Boorondara Crime Prevention Officer.  With a delightful Irish brogue, she kept the lunch meeting fully involved with her talk on policing practices in our district and some common-sense crime prevention tips.   The audience lapped it up and happily took advantage of her hospitality to go beyond time in answering many questions.
 
Joe’s outgoing and friendly style is well suited to her representation role.   One wonders how with 4 children how she maintains that outlook!   Still as she explained after joining the force in 2010 she has had a variety of assignments, starting with general duties and then a Family Violence focus.   Here her interaction with victims, and helping them understand their rights etc. gave her a lot of satisfaction.   It is understandable that there was a natural path flowing to her current representation role. Today she regularly makes presentations on home security and personal safety.
 
In the course of her talk some sobering facts were evidenced.    Family violence is widespread-elder abuse is one often disregarded but an important element of that---the majority of calls for police attendance in our district comes from family disturbance issues.
 
The major thrust of the address was about home security and here the audience attention was high.
Burglaries and their prevention was key.    Jo noted most could be prevented by application of simple common-sense practices by the home owner.   Open windows and unlocked doors and cars abound!  So, called Security doors are not made for purpose.  
 
The whole point of any burglar deterrent should be to slow the offender down.  Opportunistic thieves (which most cases involve) seeking ready cash generally for drug use, want easy targets and to be and out in a few minutes.   A good noisy dog and simple security devices which stall intruder entrance help.
 
On a different note Jo stressed the importance of community participation.   Hence one should not be  fearful of getting involved by reporting to police some unusual behaviour or alarm sounds---the police are far more sympathetic to a false call than no call at all.  
 
Jo summed it up  in two phrases.     “Slow them down"  and "Advise or Report”