Shared Vision of a Safer Melville Realised

The City has addressed the corporate priority of safety and security by developing the Safer Melville 2008–2012 Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan, to guide it in developing, implementing and evaluating projects to enhance safety and reduce crime in the municipality. The plan was developed based on analysis of crime statistics supplied by the Office of Crime Prevention, and from community consultation to determine the perception of crime and safety in the community.

Safer Melville reflects the City’s commitment to improving the safety of residents through partnerships with key stakeholders, community education, and the provision of the Community Safety and Security Service. Mayor Aubrey spoke about this commitment at the launch, and expressed excitement at being part of an event that shared in the whole community’s vision of collaboratively achieving a Safer Melville.

Murdoch Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Senior Sergeant Craig Sweeney and Palmyra OIC (currently Acting Inspector at the South Metropolitan District Office) Paul van Noort both attended the launch. A/Inspector van Noort spoke about safety and crime prevention from a local policing perspective, touching on the importance of the community in assisting police through reporting. He also acknowledged the positive working relationship local police have with the City.

Part of the City’s efforts towards achieving a Safer Melville has involved the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the WA Police, and the re-establishment of the Safer Melville Advisory Committee (SMAC). At the launch, SMAC member and City of Melville Youth Advisory Council representative Jessica Aspinall discussed the perception of young people in the community, as well as the important role they played in safety and crime prevention.

Mayor Aubrey said the community consultation in April found an overwhelming 90 per cent of respondents considered the City of Melville a safe place to live. “However, of those respondents who did not feel safe living in the City, the majority based their perceptions of crime and safety on media coverage of events in the City rather than actual crime statistics. Based on analysis of crime statistics as well as what the community expressed, a number of priority issues emerged – which the Safer Melville plan will focus on. These include: increased community awareness and education in community safety and crime prevention in the community; burglaries; graffiti and vandalism; and other theft,” he said.

“Safer Melville initiatives have, as stated, included the SMAC – made up of elected members, City staff, and representatives from State Government agencies and community groups – which meets regularly to facilitate local community safety and crime prevention partnerships within the City. The City, in collaboration with the Office of Crime Prevention, has also created a Safety and Security resource for the community, including relevant local contact numbers and valuable information on topics such as personal safety, and home and car security.  The resource is available from the Civic Centre, libraries and community centres, or online. Another part of the City’s response to achieving a Safer Melville involved updating its website to include a section containing crime and safety information and resources for the entire community, along with incorporating a Safer Melville section into its fortnightly electronic newsletter, eNews,” he said.

“The City of Melville has one of the lowest crime rates in Western Australia. However, being tough on crime and improving safety remains very important to us. The City will continue to act in the best interests of its residents and deliver initiatives which are seen as important by our local community. However, achieving our Safer Melville vision requires a united approach, with everyone taking responsibility for safety and crime prevention in the community,” he said.