THE solution to curbing to Wagga's crime could lay with the development of a second police station, according to the city's residents.
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The idea to introduce one or more 'sub' police stations to operate in addition to the existing station on Tarcutta Street came off the back of complaints of illegal motorcycle riding, theft and drug use in Wagga's outer suburbs.
The problem, residents say, is one which has spanned years with no improvement.
In a social media post to the Wagga Neighbourhood Watch Group, members were asked what their most pressing complaints were and how they could be fixed. A common response centred around difficulty getting through to the current station's phone line - an issue which many said could be improved with additional resources at a second station.
Wagga Neighbourood Watch's Colin Taggart said an extra station "had to be a good thing".
"We're aware that there are a lot of growing problems with crime in Wagga, particularly with the dirt bikes, so if we have that extra station with extra staff, that will open up better and faster communication as well as having a faster response to the incidents," he said.
"We always welcome more policing resources, and while I don't think there is a specific location that should be specified at this stage, the community need to lobby for and make police aware of what they see happening in their communities.
"The more the community works with the local area command, the more we'll start to see better outcomes."
One Facebook user suggested the sub stations be located in Ashmont and Lake Albert to cover the wider city.
Ashmont resident Mick Wyldman was all for the idea.
"Having that extra base would make a huge difference because there'd be more people at the desk even just to answer the phones," he said.
"Having an extra police presence might also stop the criminals from committing crimes in the first place in these suburbs because there'll be that extra threat of being seen and getting caught."
Mr Wyldman said he hoped to see an end to the city's ongoing drug crisis.
"Drugs are the biggest issue we have here, so many crimes are committed because these people are high on ice or other rubbish, and if we can end that, I think we'll see a much better place come out," he said.
But not everyone felt an additional police station was necessary.
Wagga Crime Prevention Working Group member Saba Nabi said the existing police presence was "more than enough".
"I think we have really great emergency services here in Wagga, the police are doing their job properly, they're promoting and collaborating with the community and relevant groups," she said.
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Dr Nabi said the solution was now in the hands of residents.
"The community needs to understand that just because it might not be their home being damaged or their car being stolen, they still need to report any suspicious behaviour they see," she said.
"We as residents need to help the police out, don't just complain on social media, call the emergency services or use the reporting resources they have made available for us."
Parents also had a role to play in improving the city's crime rates, according to Dr Nabi.
"So many of the concerns raised on social media or CCTV footage shows young people, children even, committing these crimes," she said.
"As a parent, you need to take responsibility from a young age to show them that this isn't okay, and start asking why they aren't home in the middle of the night.
"I know it's so easy to blame the police, but that isn't always the answer here."