New Partnership Agreement Delivers Safer Melville

The agreement commits both parties to working together to provide improved safety and crime prevention programs to the local community.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the move demonstrated that the City shared the same goals as the police.

“The City of Melville does not have the powers of the police but we still want to work with and support the police to create a Safer Melville,” he said.

“This agreement is a first for most local governments and there will be an opportunity to share what we have learned so that other local governments can develop long-term, sustainable relationships with their local police.

“As a result of the agreement, the City will: make staff and resources available for crime prevention initiatives; share vital intelligence with police; and implement a jointly organised marketing and education crime-prevention strategy.”

Some examples of the crime prevention initiatives include: identifying the safety concerns of local multicultural groups and implementing initiatives to address these concerns; sponsoring Constable Care shows in primary schools; providing information on graffiti prevention via local papers; increasing the visual presence of Neighbourhood Watch in the local community; providing information via local papers on safe partying to coincide with the upcoming leaver’s week; hosting child safety activities at local libraries; and hosting youth safety activities at the Vault youth space.

Co-signatory to the agreement and Superintendent of the South Metropolitan Police District Scott Higgins said the agreement would improve the already strong relationship between the two parties.

“Of course, the City and police already have an excellent relationship which includes: the City of Melville Community Safety Service working closely with police to address safety and crime prevention in the community; City staff meet on a monthly basis with the Officers in Charge from local stations to share vital information; and police that are represented on the City’s Neighbourhood Watch and Safer Melville Advisory Committees,” Superintendent Higgins said.

“Now, with this newly strengthened partnership in place, City of Melville and the police will increasingly work together to deliver a Safer Melville to residents.”

For further information including a snap shot of the crime prevention initiatives planned over the next 12 months go to www.melvillecity.com.au/safermelville