Nor should we be surprised that the police union would paint a different one.

The truth of the matter, perhaps, lies somewhere in between the comments coming from both sides.

As it stands, the statistics released yesterday are the official measure of crime across Victoria.

Therefore, it is good news that the state's crime rate has fallen year-on-year in the past 12 months.

In Ballarat, though, the figures tell a different story.

Our rate of reported crime has increased by more than 10 per cent.

Of particular concern, according to police, are the rates of family violence - so much so that a special unit will be established locally to deal with the problem.

Unfortunately, though, the resources for that unit will come from exisiting personnel, which will inevitably mean members will be withdrawn from other areas.

While the exact numbers are in dispute, few would argue that Ballarat is in need of more operational police officers if it is to combat crime effectively.

Few officers these days have time to simply ``patrol'' in a pro-active approach to fighting crime.

As a community, we should continue to push for more resources to be allocated to our city.

The men and women here currently do a remarkable job under often difficult circumstances.

At the end of the day, though, you can't beat a visible police presence in the fight against crime.

Being behind the wheel is not a right

We saw at the weekend the devastating consequences of trauma on our roads.

Two young lives snuffed out so suddenly, another carrying the burden of being the driver, and family and friends left behind to deal with their grief.

Deaths on our roads are unnecessary tragedies, and while the state has made much progress over the years in its efforts to reduce the road toll, we still, unfortunately, have a long way to go.

Ultimately, we are responsible for our own actions when we get behind the wheel of a car.

It is up to drivers to ensure the nightmare these families are living doesn't become someone else's.