STRICTER penalties for violence, criminal activity and antisocial behaviour has divided opinion in the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs.

While a number of Lilydale shoppers agree with an Opposition election promise to abolish suspended sentences and home detention, many still ask where the money for larger jails will come from.

"Sending more people to jail will cost us a lot," Diamond Creek resident Brett Coate said.

"How much does it cost to have someone in for 10 days? More community service is better - at least they're giving something back."

Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe said results from her recent law and order survey in Lilydale, Mooroolbark and Mt Evelyn showed people were worried current sentencing was not enough of a deterrent.

"There are rules in society to make people feel safe and secure. If someone has committed so many driving offences that they risk going to jail they need to be made accountable.

"In the end it's bad driving that leaves other mums and dads grieving."

Acting Attorney General and Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron said the Opposition was out of touch and willing to send disqualified drivers - "mum and dad motorists" - to jail.

While suspended sentences are not available for serious offences, including murder and manslaughter, they are available for arson and drug trafficking.

Each year, more than 6000 offenders receive a suspended sentence, with 29.1 per cent of those handed down in magistrates' courts breached.

Police Association boss Greg Davies has thrown his full support behind the Opposition's plan to dump suspended sentences and home detention.

"It's our members in the end that have to go out and arrest repeat offenders. A prison sentence should be in a prison and not in a lounge room."