00:02Paul Lloyd is full of praise for the team of community connectors at Frankston train station.
00:08After a period of sleeping rough, he moved into his own place just last week.
00:13Through persistence and through their support, yeah, I'm very, very happy.
00:19Yeah, yeah, I'm sort of back on a level field again.
00:22The team of social workers and mental health professionals patrol the area every afternoon.
00:27So we just try and sit with them, listen to their story, who they are, what their priorities are, what
00:34their needs are and meet them where they're at and try and link them into services.
00:37The program started in Dandenong in 2023 and now runs in Noble Park, Springvale, Frankston, as well as Broadmeadows and
00:46Footscray.
00:46It's about to be expanded to St Albans and Sunshine.
00:52That community is still grieving after popular grocer Van Viet Trong died from injuries suffered in an alleged group bashing.
01:02Street crime is a major election issue in Victoria and this program is being held up as part of the
01:09solution.
01:09We've spoken to a lot of traders, they've seen such a big change in the reduction of crime in this
01:17particular area.
01:18Since the program started at Frankston station there's been a 44% decrease in disorderly and offensive conduct crimes.
01:25The council wants both sides of politics to invest $750,000 to continue the project.
01:32I'm not the treasurer but it's certainly got my backing and if I can get any kind of commitment from
01:38the treasurer that will be done.
01:39Happy to have a discussion with Frankston Council.
01:41What we're focused on is putting PSOs back on train stations where Labor has stripped them off.
01:46Keeping track of safety.
