This week I want to acknowledge the serious incidents that happened the weekend before last, and extend my condolences to the family and friends who lost loved ones.
Senior Constable Deb Hann – On the Beat
I also acknowledge the good work and dedication put in by all emergency services personnel in attendance. I would also like to express our sincere gratitude for the many cards and treats received this week by Cambridge police from students at Cambridge Primary School. It is appreciated.
Any serious incident has a ripple effect that moves swiftly out into our close-knit community and this has been especially true over the past week. I also want to touch on how those flow-on effects are intensified when misinformation begins to be circulated around what has taken place.
I urge all to use extreme caution in sharing any information in such circumstances and certainly not where that information has come to you second hand and you do not have direct personal knowledge. Just as recording and publicly posting or sharing raw video footage of serious crash scenes can be traumatising to the families of those involved, spreading ‘fake news’ around the circumstances or outcome of any serious incident can be equally hurtful.
In the last seven days, Cambridge Police have also dealt with 12 family harm incidents including three breaches of protection order and an assault, two burglaries, fraud, two bail breaches, two drivers with excess breath alcohol, three traffic crashes plus threats and intimidation. In addition, a male was arrested for a serious assault which also constituted a breach of bail conditions at the time. He has appeared in court. Another male was found to be driving with a breath alcohol almost level three times the legal limit. It was a decision that led to him crashing at speed knocking over a street lamp. He will also be appearing in court.
On a final note, with the foggy mornings arriving again, please ensure your vehicle can be seen. Turn your headlights on manually. An auto setting is designed for darkness, not inclement weather so will be ineffective for fog or heavy rain. In rainy conditions, be sure to drive to the conditions, watch your following distances and don’t take risks when pulling out into traffic. As always, be alert to your surroundings as the driving situations of other’s can be unpredictable. Drive safe.
Senior constable Deb Hann inside the police station. Photo: Aaron Radford.
