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Safety audits to reduce opportunities for crimeRetail precincts in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon will be the subject of a Community Safety Audit By Latrobe City Council - 29th May 2001 - Back to News Retail precincts in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon will be the subject of a Community Safety Audit in the next few weeks, part of a Gippsland-wide program which assesses any potential for crime in retail or entertainment areas, and identifies ways of minimising the potential for criminal activity.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said the audits were a proactive move involving a regional partnership between Crime Prevention Victoria (State Justice Department), local municipalities, business and the community, aimed at making Gippsland the safest region in Australia.
"Latrobe City successfully applied to the State Government for funding under the ‘Safer Cities and Shires Program’ on behalf of the six Local Governments across Gippsland. A grant of $100,000 has been provided to employ a project officer for twelve months, who will implement community safety strategies across the six Gippsland municipalities, and work closely with local government personnel, police and members of the community to develop community safety programs," Cr Jenkins explained.
"A Community Safety Audit has already been undertaken in the Sale Shopping Mall and similar audits are about to be undertaken in Bairnsdale and Leongatha," Cr Jenkins said.
"We are fortunate that our region is not a hotbed of crime, but incidents do take place from time to time, and much can be done to deter crime. These audits are a very positive way of raising awareness about the potential for crime in particular areas and using sound principles to negate it. This can be done for instance by identifying ways of changing the physical amenity of a streetscape or shopping mall to make perpetrating a crime extremely difficult," Cr Jenkins said.
Safer Gippsland Project Officer, Craig Johnson, said the audits brought together community representatives, shopkeepers, Council staff and local groups such as Neighbourhood Watch, who identified potential scenarios for crime in a precinct, and implemented strategies to reduce opportunities for crime to take place.
"The audits take into consideration the potential scope for opportunistic crime such as near an ATM machine in a streetscape, and assess factors that may contribute to making crime easier for thieves," Mr Johnson said.
"The best way to identify hazards and come to terms with any problems is to consult with the community, the people who use the shopping and entertainment areas, and the business people that run the shops and establishments that prove entertainment and services. Instead of just warning people about the potential of crime, this project identifies practical solutions.
"We apply the principles of ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’ (CPTED) which is a relatively new concept. The goal of CPTED is achieved by employing physical design features that discourage crime, while at the same time encouraging legitimate use of the environment. For example, lighting and landscape design can play a significant role in deterring crime," Mr Johnson explained.
"Good lighting is one of the most effective crime deterrents. When used properly, light discourages criminal activity, enhances natural surveillance opportunities and reduces fear.
The Community Safety Audits also provide opportunities to identify all sorts of injury hazards as well as access issues for people of various abilities," Mr Johnson added.
Further information about the Community Safety Audits is available from the Safer Gippsland Project Officer, Craig Johnson, at Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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