Police mobile unit visits

Local youth were entertained with music, video games and a free barbecue when the PCYC police mobile unit visited Umina on January 11.

Umina PCYC manager Ms Allison Carpenter said the mobile unit was used in identified "hotspots" along the Lower North Coast and Hunter region.

"The aim of the mobile unit is to reduce the incidence of youth crime and anti-social behaviour in these targeted areas and to generally improve the access to healthy positive activities and services for young people in the area," Ms Carpenter said.

"Through the participation of staff, volunteers and PCYC police officers, the project aims to encourage young people to be involved in positive and constructive activities, whether through the PCYC or other local community organisations.

"It is easy and often that we hear about the 'trouble' caused by youth in our area, but we don't hear enough about all the great children and youth who live on the Peninsula, who are the majority."

Umina PCYC will host a youth disco at the centre on Friday, January 29, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

The event is supervised by police, staff and volunteers, and tickets cost $10 each which includes a drink.

No alcohol, drugs, anti-social behaviour or pass outs will be accepted.

Ms Carpenter said Umina PCYC were planning to hold monthly discos and dance parties on the third Friday of each month commencing in February to give local kids a regular safe and supervised activity.

Each monthly event will include a disco for children from 5pm to 7pm followed by another session for youth from 7:30pm to 10.30pm.

Press release, 20 Jan 2010 Allison Carpenter, Umina PCYC