St John of God to increase security measures after spike in vehicle break-ins at Geraldton hospitals

Geraldton police are calling for extra lighting and CCTV cameras in carparks after a spree of damage and thefts to vehicles parked at the city’s two hospitals at night.

According to police, 15 vehicles were targeted in hospital carparks in a two-week period in December and January, with juveniles charged for nine incidents so far.

It has sparked calls for heightened security at St John of God Geraldton and Geraldton Health Campus to deter would-be vandals and thieves, including security lighting, more CCTV and fencing.

Police said 11 of these incidents were reported at St John of God Geraldton and four at Geraldton Health Campus, with all offences taking place at night.

On Friday, December 23, four vehicles were targeted in the St John of God carpark and another seven on Monday, January 2.

Vehicles parked at Geraldton Health Campus were targeted on January 2 and 3. Windows were damaged on all 15 vehicles.

In nine cases, juveniles offenders were found to have been responsible and they were dealt with either by a juvenile caution, referral to the juvenile justice team or by court order.

Geraldton police acting officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Nathan Johansen said lighting in the St John of God carpark area was good but the CCTV was sub-standard, while Geraldton Health Campus had both poor lighting and CCTV vision.

Sen Sgt Johansen said more could be done to increase visibility at dark or in secluded carparks after a surge of cars were targeted in dimly-lit areas.

“Good lighting in the area really helps prevent opportunistic crime by making it uncomfortable for an offender,” he said.

“Over at the hospital we’ve seen shift worker nurses have their car broken into, or patients who have gone to Perth and their property is there for the taking.”

One of the victims recently opened up to the Geraldton Guardian about the devastation at being targeted. The couple’s new $68,000 vehicle was trashed in the St John of God carpark while they were in hospital for the birth of their first child.

St John of God Geraldton Hospital CEO Phillip Balmer said the hospital was aware of the “recent increase in the number of reported break-ins to vehicles parked in the hospital grounds” and would increased security at the premises.

“We are distressed by this increase and the effect it is having on our community, including patients, visitors and our caregivers,” he said.

“We have been working closely with police and have increased our security presence by adding more cameras to provide 24/7 surveillance of the carpark, increased security patrols during the day and night, ensuring all vegetation is trimmed to reduce hiding places, and improving our equipment to enable quick response to incidents.”

Mr Balmer said the added efforts were having a positive impact with a security guard recently “stopping a break-in in progress”.

A WA Country Health Service spokesperson said they took the safety of patients, visitors and staff, and their property, seriously.

“WACHS provides 24/7 security patrols at Geraldton Health Campus in addition to security lighting and CCTV set up in all carparks,” the spokesperson said.

WA Police encouraged members of the public not to leave valuables in their vehicles, lock their cars and try not to park in isolated locations.