Analysis of Health Priorities - Crime & Safety
Priority Area 1: Proactive Policing
Personal contact with the public has been reduced due to the loss of contact between the community and police fostered by old-time foot patrolling policeman. This contact assisted in developing a trust relationship between the police and the community. Presently, often the only contact people have with a police member is a negative one. This has worked against positive contacts and constructive solutions to even minor problems.
Proactive policing can lead to a greater preventative effort with active community participation. While reactive policing seeks to control crime by directing efforts towards the apprehension of offenders. Proactive policing seeks to influence events by reducing the opportunity for criminal and antisocial activity.
Currently, Police in the Corio Division are working closely with residents, local agencies, and local government, to create an environment in which Police are available to the community to give residents the opportunity to speak with Police in a positive rather than negative situation. The Community, Agencies and Safety (CAS) Project is an example of collaborative proactive policing. The CAS Project is currently being piloted by the Corio Police State and will enable local Police members to refer residents to appropriate agencies through an agreement with local service organisations. The CAS Project is a collaboration between State and local government, local organisations, agencies, and services that will ensure local Police continue to be informed about the services and support systems available to residents.
Through proactive policing, community members have the opportunity to develop relationships with the Police enhancing the human face of policing (Sutton 2008).
Priority Area 2: Reduction of the misuse of Drugs and Alcohol
Approximately, 64% of 18-24 year olds and 32% of 14-17 year olds binge drink. The cost to the Australian community of alcohol misuse through lost productivity and social and health impacts is $15.3 billion a year. According Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Survey data (2007), 64% of participants perceived ‘Drug and Alcohol Use’ as a big problem (Deakin University 2007). This data indicates that the use of drugs and alcohol remains wide spread throughout the community, thus calling for a greater focus on the development of relevant material targeting the safe alcohol consumption and smoking cessation.
The Crime and Safety Sub Committee in conjunction with the Health and Wellbeing Sub Committee will work together to reduce the misuse of drugs and alcohol in Corio Norlane. The Crime and Safety Sub Committee, will continue to focus on reducing the effects of drug and alcohol misuse and the relationship with crime and safety.
Priority Area 3: Assisting victims of crime, including family (domestic) violence
Research suggests that the impacts of crime victimisation can be long-lasting and diverse. Some consequences include financial loss, property damage, physical injury and death. Less obvious, but sometimes more devastating, are the psychological and emotional wounds left as a result of victimisation (Cook, David, and Grant 1999).
The number of family violence incidents increased in the years from 1999-2000 to 2003-04. In 1999-2000, the police recorded family violence incidents in 0.49 per cent of the Victorian population and 0.57 per cent of the rural/regional Victorian population. Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Survey data (2007) indicates that 59% of 600 respondents perceive family (domestic) violence to be a ‘problem’. Further, evidence also suggests that 5.5% of the Corio Norlane population are reported to be victims of family violence during the period of July 2004-June2007.
Family violence victims experience numerous negative health related consequences including mental health issues such as depression and substance abuse in the short term and in the long term increases in, central nervous system and chronic stress-related problems. Children that experience or witness family violence exhibit more behavioural and emotional problems when compared with children that do not experience family violence. In the longer term, children who witness or are affected by family violence may display violent behaviour in their future relationships or may continue to be victim to violent partners (The Allen Consulting Group 2008).
Priority 4: Engaging Young People
Young people are significantly over represented in Victoria’s crime statistics, both as offenders and victims. In 2007, young people (under 24 years) accounted for 47% of offenders processed for criminal offences. According to 51% of 600 respondents of the Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Survey (2007), young people in groups on the street are considered to be a ‘big problem’. Correspondingly, 11% of respondents suggested that in order to reduce this safety concern young people must be given ‘something to do to keep them off the streets’ (Deakin University 2007).
Victoria Police are keen to work closely with their local communities and to build the skills of Police members to increase their capabilities to identify and engage with young people who are at risk. Young people who are connected to their community and feel they have the ability to participate in decision making processes are less likely to become disengaged and socially excluded and fall into antisocial and criminal behaviour (Victoria Police 2009).
Priority Five - Creating Safer Neighbourhoods
A safer community is a participatory community. An increase in fear or feeling unsafe causes people’s capacity to participate in leisure, recreational, and other social activities to become restricted. The design and layout of neighbourhoods and public spaces influences people’s perceptions of day-to-day safety. Well cared for urban spaces are more likely to be used by the community compared to poorly maintained places that appear uninviting. This is evidenced through the results of the Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Survey (2007) with 16% of participants indicating that improved street lighted is required to improve personal safety and reduce crime in their local neighbourhood (Deakin University 2007).
The development of partnerships between community members, government agencies, and the police is fundamental to effectively preventing and controlling violence and crime as they are whole of community concerns. Community safety is more than the reduction of crime and violence (Dixon 1995).
Priority Six - Safer homes
Many Australians spend considerable amounts of time in their homes, enjoying the privacy and security their homes bring. However, almost half of the participants (46%) of the Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Survey (2007) believe that house robberies or theft are a ‘big problem’ (Deakin University 2007).
In addition, evidence suggests that unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death for children and are a major reason for hospital and emergency department admissions in Victoria. In Victoria, an average 126 children visit an emergency department due to an injury each day. The most common location for these injuries is the home. Injuries vary and can include: fire; burns and scalds; poisoning; falls; poorly designed products/play equipment; drowning; cutting and piercing; and choking/aspiration. However, many of these unintentional injuries are preventable.
SafeStart funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services, focuses on the prevention of unintentional injury in children working with local governments, agencies, organisations and communities. In addition, Best Start is a Victorian Government early years initiative supporting families, caregivers and communities to provide the best possible environment, experience and care for young children in the important years from pregnancy to school
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