Can for underage drinking

By Dion Teasdale
TARGETING underage drinking and the anti-social behaviour of young people in public places will be the focus of a new police project in Healesville.
The project will be headed up by Victoria Police youth resource officer for the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Senior Constable Sally Jensen.
Sen Conts Jensen, who has worked in the Yarra Ranges for the past eight years on a range of youth and community projects, will commence working with Healesville police this week.
She said her new role in Healesville would include identifying and understanding youth issues in the community and increasing the capacity of operational police to deal with young people and youth issues in the town.
“I’ll be working closely with Healesville police and community organisations looking at youth issues in the area, particularly underage drinking and public space issues around shopping centres and parks,” Sen Cont Jensen said.
Sen Const Jensen, who is based at Lilydale police station, said she was keen to work in partnership with local organisations in Healesville to develop strategies to reduce youth anti-social behaviour and crime.
“The main focus of the program is to allow police to develop a better understanding of the diverse lives of young people and to assist them in feeling comfortable and confident approaching police to ask for help when needed,” she said.
“I’ll be working with local youth agencies to combat localised issues and to help young people have the local contacts they need to make the right choices.”
In the Mail earlier this month, the Yarra Valley’s newest senior police officer, Senior Sergeant Vin Butera, announced Sen Const Jensen would be brought to Healesville.
Sen Sgt Butera, who is based in Healesville for six months, said Sen Const Jensen would work at a grassroots level to help address anti-social behaviour hot spots in the town.
Key hot spots in the town already identified by police include the Healesville Walking Shopping Centre and the Coles Express service station.
Sen Const Jensen is encouraging community groups, young people and local welfare agencies to contact her to discuss youth-related issues on 9735 1066.