Night patrol initiative aimed at keeping Cairns streets safe
Published Friday, 26 October, 2007 at 04:50 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
The Queensland Police Service and the Department of Housing have joined forces to launch a new night patrol initiative which promotes community safety in West Cairns.
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said Department of Housing officers would conduct a four-week trial of night patrols in partnership with local police on Thursday and Friday nights in the suburbs of Mooroobool and Manoora.
The trail started this week.
“This partnership between the community, the Department of Housing and police will identify public disorder issues at night and start the process to fix them,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Officers conducting the patrols will work together to identify and address disorderly behaviour and to promote community safety, with police prosecuting perpetrators of criminal acts and activities that increase public disorder.
“The night patrols will focus on objectionable behaviour such as loud parties, domestic disturbances and unsociable behaviour towards neighbours.
“If residents are found to be in breach of their tenancy conditions, the Department of Housing will take action, which may include Notices to Remedy, maintenance of property, court action or eviction.
“We will not tolerate disruptive behaviour by tenants or vandalism of public housing dwellings and are committed to creating safe neighbourhoods for all residents.”
Ms Spence said the initiative was an extension of a similar project undertaken in the same suburbs from December 2006 to February 2007.
“During this period, a number of offences were identified and addressed, which led to a marked reduction in disorderly conduct in the area,” Ms Spence said.
She said it was fitting that the start of this initiative coincided with Crime Prevention Week.
“The first patrol took place last night with a second patrol tonight — the same nights the Queensland Police Service will highlight the ‘Violence: No Way’ and ‘Party Safe’ projects as part of Crime Prevention Week,” Ms Spence said.
Crime Prevention Week is held across the state every year, and each region chooses a particular crime or problem to focus on in a bid to educate Queenslanders on ways they can improve safety in their community.
This year, Crime Prevention Week runs from October 19 to 26, and police in the Far Northern Region will be targeting all forms of violence and emphasising the importance of partnerships in preventing crime.
“Every day police and community members work hard to provide advice and educational materials to the community on preventative measures they can employ to avoid becoming a victim of a violent crime,” Ms Spence said.
“Police in the Far Northern Region will not tolerate violent crimes of any sort, and I encourage anyone with concerns about violence or disorderly conduct in their community to talk to their local Crime Prevention Officers or police.
“Police are looking forward to working in close partnership with Department of Housing officers to deliver real benefits to residents living in West Cairns through this new joint initiative.”
Anyone with any information that may assist police with their inquiries should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Media contact: Minister Spence’s office on (07) 3239 6172
Minister Schwarten’s Office on (07) 3237 1832
Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said Department of Housing officers would conduct a four-week trial of night patrols in partnership with local police on Thursday and Friday nights in the suburbs of Mooroobool and Manoora.
The trail started this week.
“This partnership between the community, the Department of Housing and police will identify public disorder issues at night and start the process to fix them,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Officers conducting the patrols will work together to identify and address disorderly behaviour and to promote community safety, with police prosecuting perpetrators of criminal acts and activities that increase public disorder.
“The night patrols will focus on objectionable behaviour such as loud parties, domestic disturbances and unsociable behaviour towards neighbours.
“If residents are found to be in breach of their tenancy conditions, the Department of Housing will take action, which may include Notices to Remedy, maintenance of property, court action or eviction.
“We will not tolerate disruptive behaviour by tenants or vandalism of public housing dwellings and are committed to creating safe neighbourhoods for all residents.”
Ms Spence said the initiative was an extension of a similar project undertaken in the same suburbs from December 2006 to February 2007.
“During this period, a number of offences were identified and addressed, which led to a marked reduction in disorderly conduct in the area,” Ms Spence said.
She said it was fitting that the start of this initiative coincided with Crime Prevention Week.
“The first patrol took place last night with a second patrol tonight — the same nights the Queensland Police Service will highlight the ‘Violence: No Way’ and ‘Party Safe’ projects as part of Crime Prevention Week,” Ms Spence said.
Crime Prevention Week is held across the state every year, and each region chooses a particular crime or problem to focus on in a bid to educate Queenslanders on ways they can improve safety in their community.
This year, Crime Prevention Week runs from October 19 to 26, and police in the Far Northern Region will be targeting all forms of violence and emphasising the importance of partnerships in preventing crime.
“Every day police and community members work hard to provide advice and educational materials to the community on preventative measures they can employ to avoid becoming a victim of a violent crime,” Ms Spence said.
“Police in the Far Northern Region will not tolerate violent crimes of any sort, and I encourage anyone with concerns about violence or disorderly conduct in their community to talk to their local Crime Prevention Officers or police.
“Police are looking forward to working in close partnership with Department of Housing officers to deliver real benefits to residents living in West Cairns through this new joint initiative.”
Anyone with any information that may assist police with their inquiries should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Media contact: Minister Spence’s office on (07) 3239 6172
Minister Schwarten’s Office on (07) 3237 1832