The Territory Labor Government has todayannounced that Talice Security Services has won the contract to provide asecurity patrol service in the Alice Springs CBD.
Talice Security currently provide the existingsecurity patrol service for the Alice Springs CBD. The new contract is for 12months, with a contract extension up to three years.
The patrol service includes two securityofficers who will work to deter crime and anti-social behaviour each nightbetween 10pm and 5am. The security officers will connect with Police each nightfor guidance on where to focus security patrols.
As part of the new contract, the two-person teamwill include an Aboriginal Security Officer that can speak a local language. In the event that theAboriginal Security Officer is not available, an Aboriginal Liaison Officerwill work alongside the two officers.
The creation of these two new positions is partof Talice Securitys ongoing commitment to Aboriginal employment as well asensuring that engagement on the frontline is culturally respectful. Talice Security will also create anAdvisory Committee of local Aboriginal people to assist in building anAboriginal employment environment that respects Aboriginal culture and values.
A dedicated and effective Alice Springs CBDsecurity patrol service is part of a comprehensive suite of measures to cutcrime, youth crime and anti-social behaviour. This includes the Breaking the Cycle of youth crime inAlice Springs plan.
Breakingthe Cycle planincludes seven initiatives:
- Appoint seven Youth Engagement Night Officers (YENOs) to work seven days a week from 8pm-3am with young people who are on the street (and regularly involved in crime) and get them on a better path. YENOs will support NT Police, Territory Families and non-government youth services. A trial of the new service was conducted during the Easter school holidays. (In effect 28 June)
- Expand the youth drop-in centres. Gap Youth and Community Centre and Tangentyere Council Brown Street now operate seven (up from five) days per week and have extended their bus services. (Already in effect)
- Expand the hours of the Tangentyere Night Patrol to get young people off the streets. Patrol vehicles will run seven nights a week from 6pm-3am. (Already in effect)
- Two School Engagement Officers to work with young people who have been identified as being disengaged from schooling. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
- Three School Compliance Officers to work with young people when attempts to increase school attendance has not been successful. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
- More mobile CCTV cameras in anti-social behaviour hotspots. (In effect 31 May)
- Create an Aboriginal-led Youth Outreach Service. A team of senior, respected Aboriginal outreach workers will provide advice and support to youth engagement officers and mentor Aboriginal youth, drawing on the cultural authority of the Tangentyere Council Mens Four Corners Group and Tangentyere Womens Family Safety Group. (In effect 1 July)
As noted by Minister for Territory Families,Dale Wakefield
The Territory Labor Government is listening toTerritorians who have had enough of youth crime and anti-social behaviour. Wehave put in place a comprehensive suite of measures that gives us a better chanceat breaking the cycle of youth crime by targeting at-risk young people beforethey commit a crime, as well as consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
Having a dedicated and effective Alice SpringsCBD security patrol is essential for a safer community. Talice Security has anin-depth knowledge of local issues and a strong relationship with local Policeand NGOs.
Talice Security is also the longest operatingsecurity company in the Territory and is a local Alice Springs family-basedbusiness, with a locally based control room. I applaud them in their ongoingcommitment to Aboriginal employment and also ensuring that their securityservice is culturally respectful.
As noted by Director of Talice Security Service,Tom Turnbull
“Talice Security is committed to providinga holistic response to security for our clients. Working closely withTerritory Families, NT Police, Tangentyere Night Patrol, extending the suite ofsecurity services through the provision of an Aboriginal advisory council allcontribute to this response.
“Talice Security is proud to identify withbeing the first security service in Alice Springs to provide an AboriginalSecurity Officer, or an Aboriginal Liaison Officer, both of whom will beutilising their cultural knowledge and language, as part of the CBD Patrol.
“Talice Security is proudly Territorian andfamily owned. We commit our support to the ‘Breaking the Cycle’ plan, toworking in partnership with the NTG and NGO’s, more particularly though, toensuring we do all we can to contribute to making Alice Springs a safercommunity for all.”
