POLICE fear the community may have reached 'isolation fatigue', with an increase in residents breaking social isolation rules.
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As police continue to undertake Operation Sentinel, Superintendent Jenny Wilson said a "significant number" of tickets had been issued across the region in the past fortnight.
"I think people are getting restless and are starting to go out more. They are being a bit more risky," she said.
Superintendent Wilson said police had received an abundance of calls from community members, who are informing police of people who they see breaching social isolation restrictions.
"Whilst we're giving out the tickets, the community is really policing the community in a way, which is really good," she said.
Whilst we're giving out the tickets, the community is really policing the community in a way, which is really good.
- Superintendent Jenny Wilson
Police are tasked with fining residents who do not comply with the directive of Victoria's chief health officer - to only leave home for food and supplies, for medical care, exercise and work or education.
On the spot fines are up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses.
Infringements issued
While businesses are only supposed to be providing take-away food, one hotel in the region was found to have served a patron a beer while they waited to collect their order.
Other infringements have been issued for gatherings at houses, with gatherings having been an issue across the region.
"It's not just the gathering that's the issue but it's where the people were prior - who they were in contact with - and where they go after the gathering. It's an opportunity for people to contract the virus," she said.
"They could then go to the supermarket and spread the virus and before we know it we have a big problem."
She said Victoria, especially around Ballarat, had done a really good job in getting the virus under control but community members needed to continue with social distancing and taking precautions.
"We don't want to have been locked down for this period of time to only undo the good work that we've already done."
Crime rate has dropped, but family violence and burglary concerns
While the overall crime rate has dropped since Christmas, which has been assisted with the social isolation measures in place, police are focusing on a number of issues.
In the past several weeks, police have noted many family violence reports are from victims who have not reported matters previously, while children are also being impacted.
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This is a focus for police, with Operation Ribbon - focusing on family violence - launched in Ballarat last week.
There has also been a marked increase in aggravated burglaries, with a number across Ballarat, Daylesford and Trentham recently.
Most of these burglaries have involved stealing the victim's vehicle and in almost every case, the offenders have gained access through an unlocked door.
Offenders are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of changing circumstances.
- Superintendent Jenny Wilson
"Offenders are always looking for opportunities to take advantage of changing circumstances," she said.
The targeted cars have been luxury or sports cars, and have been able to be sighted from the street.
"We know offenders drive quite far distances to identify opportunities to then go and steal those cars and then drive them fast and commit other crimes," Superintendent Wilson said.
"Sometimes it's just to do a joy ride, but inevitably it also involves stealing petrol and if there's credit cards available, buying things through tap and go."
In order to curb this trend, Superintendent Wilson urged community members to simply lock their doors, including the door between the house and garage.
"If people could just simply lock their doors then that really means that the offender will be put off. There's a barrier to them doing it really quickly and easily and so then they end up looking for another opportunity."
Moreover, while there are generally less people on the roads, there are more people driving at excessive speed.
Police seized four cars at the weekend for high range speeding.
One driver was detected travelling at 160km/h in a 100km/h zone, while another was detected travelling over 100km/h in a 60 km/h zone.
In the 24 hours until 11pm Monday, police conducted 903 spot checks on homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state.
Police issued 56 fines in the 24 period, while 31,663 spot checks have been conducted since March 21.
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