So, there’s a simple way they can provide a quicker police response while saving dough at the same time by going back to the late 1960s and putting back on the streets some of those old police boxes introduced in the 1950s before mobile phones and two-way radios.

They could now become technologically-enabled police contact points, featuring two-way audio-visual equipment so people could communicate directly with the coppers.

They could also operate as a base for neighbourhood beat officers. But then, sadly, we don’t see police on the beat any more.

In fact, we don’t see that many police at all with the need to bolster regular Orange numbers at times by police from district stations like Cudal, Molong, Manildra, Cumnock and Eugowra.

So the boxes, in effect, would be big enough to become miniature police stations for use by officers who would be right on the spot when people want to report crime or anti-social behaviour going on nearby.

And think of the petrol bills it would save.

WOODWARD Street is getting another roundabout at the intersection of Wentworth Lane, with work beginning Monday, and it’s going to take four months before it’s finished on June 21.

It will cost $840,000 and will be similar to the one at the Woodward-Moulder streets intersection that cost $635,000 about 12 months ago.

The work will disrupt traffic, with long delays expected, while Wentworth Lane will be temporary closed at the intersection during the second stage.

There’s never been any serious accidents there, so it’s a wonder the NSW government’s Safer Roads Program has put up the funds.

The Centre for Road Safety accident figures for Woodward Street are for a 1.6-kilometre stretch from Wentworth Lane to Burrendong Way, taking in the Kite, Byng, Summer and March streets intersections.