Local State Members Peter Russo and Duncan Pegg have welcomed the establishment of a six-month community safety action plan targeting Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills.
The action plan, known as Operation Romeo Airtight, commenced on June 1 and consists of high visibility police patrols and community engagement strategies by South Brisbane District and Operations Support Command.
To assist Operation Romeo Airtight, The Queensland Police Service (QPS) have released a range of crime prevention videos on WeChat, a popular social media platform used within the community.
This platform will allow police to easily communicate with members of the community with crime prevention tips and important crime updates, without a language barrier.
Several community events and meetings will also take place within the community hosted by South Brisbane District Crime Prevention Officers and Police Liaison Officers (PLOs).
Member for Toohey, Peter Russo said people not only had the right to be safe, but also to feel safe.
“As the State Member for Toohey I am committed to ensuring that every person in my community feels safe and secure in their own environment.
“The commencement of Operation Romeo on June 1st has meant that increased police resources such as the Mounted Unit, Railway Squad, PSRT and Bicycle Squad are effectively addressing community concerns.
“Our community safety action plan ensures safety maximisation for all,” Mr Russo said.
The Member for Stretton, Duncan Pegg, said he fully supported Operation Romeo Airtight.
“In my experience the majority of crimes in our local area are committed by people from outside our community.
“The clear message to those people is that if you come to our community to do the wrong thing, you will be caught,” Mr Pegg said.
Commissioner Ian Stewart said the QPS takes the concerns of residents seriously and Operation Romeo Airtight is a step in the right direction to ensure residents feel safe within their own community.
“High visibility patrols will continue as part of this operation as well as a significant community engagement program.
“Both are being managed by Upper Mount Gravatt Police Station with its base of operations at the Sunnybank Police Beat.
“The strategy has involved Police Liaison Officers (PLO) managing a significant number of community engagement activities across the two suburbs, to communicate with vulnerable groups such as the large number of overseas students in the area.
“Our PLOs are invaluable, especially when it comes to bridging the communications gap between police and international residents and visitors, providing personal safety information and assisting with avenues to report crime to police,” the Commissioner said.
Since the commencement of Operation Romeo Airtight, officers have issued dozens of infringement notices.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said members of the Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills community could be assured that the Queensland Police are dedicated to ensuring everyone feels safe in their own community.
“Operation Romeo Airtight will provide significant resources to the community including the Mounted Unit, Railway Squad, PSRT and Bicycle Squad.
“I am confident the police response to these concerns from the community will be addressed with the community safety action plan,” the Minister said.
