More police needed in Conception Bay South, says Barry Petten

The MHA for Conception Bay South says his town isnot the sleepy bedroom community it once was, and he's calling for a bigger police presence in the town.

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Barry Petten claimspeople feel uneasy, especially since the recent homicideof Steven Miller, whose body was dumped in a driveway in Kelligrews.

"I've spoken to a lot of residents and the message that's coming back to me is they don't feel safe anymore," Petten told the St. John's Morning Show.

"I don't believe any increase in police would have prevented this terrible crime from happening, but it's the sense of security that people feel. They don't feel thatsame sense of security that they had felt over the years."

Petten saidmore patrolling would help, but believes that the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary should open up a new detachment in C.B.S.

"This most recent crime makes it crystal clear to me that policing is probably inadequate in C.B.S.," he said, adding that other violentcrimes are becoming all too common.

"Just prior to that serious crime, there was an armed robbery a day or two in Seal Cove. A day or two after, there was another armed robbery inManuels," he said.

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Big area, big population

Petten said C.B.S. is a big geographic areaandone of the fastest growing parts ofthe province, but has only two police cars patrolling the area, with a third being added. Response times, he said, could be 40 minutes.

They don't feel thatsame sense of security that they had felt over the years.- Barry Petten

"Two patrolcars probably look afterKenmount Road, and you've got two patrol cars looking after C.B.S., population pushing 27,000. It's a huge difference."

Petten said he has presented a number of petitions in the House of Assembly making the argument for a separate policedetachment in the town.

"It's fine to have extra vehicles in the area, police patrols, and they do great work, but I think you needthat in conjunction with an office," he said.

"Why can't they have a base in C.B.S.? Mount Pearl has their own office. Why can't C.B.S.?"