Townsville City Council has delivered another key commitment to improving safety in the community with backing of a Community Safety Plan.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the plan follows the appointment of a Community Safety Officer last year and a $13.3 million in funding for public safety in the 2019/20 City Budget.
“The Community Safety Plan provides a plan of action to deliver a coordinated approach to community safety across Council and with partnerships in the community,” Cr Hill said.
“While law enforcement is the domain of the police, there is a lot State agencies, Non-Government Organisations and Council can and will do to provide a safe environment for our residents.
“The clear objective of the Community Safety Plan is to bring together existing programs, identify trends and issues in the community and develop appropriate responses to safeguard public safety.
“We want to make community safety a big factor in everything council does from security cameras and monitoring, to lighting in streets and local parks, improving footpaths, eradicating graffiti and providing facilities for our youth.”
Community Safety Advisory Committee Chair Cr Russ Cook said the council had raised the bar in its approach to public safety.
“A big focus of the plan is not just CCTV coverage and patrols, but the work council will continue do with the police and a range of groups in the community to help improve safety,” Cr Cook said.
“These partnerships are extremely important in tackling the causes of crime and addressing safety issues right across the city for the security of our residents.”
Council safety initiatives in the plan include:
- CCTV network with 300 fixed individual stations and mobile cameras, and more planned over the next two years
- Community Response Vehicle patrols
- Public duress button at Riverway
- Graffiti Action Plan
- Street Art Activation
- Public Space Maintenance Plan and Activation of public spaces
- Community Service Order Projects
- Programs to support youth development
- Education through Neighbour Day Activities and Disaster Ready Day
- Disaster Coordination response
- Grants and partnerships
Council will also continue to develop community partnerships to improve community safety through a range of groups including Community Safety Advisory Committee, Liquor Accord Townsville, Safe Night Precinct, Riverway Precinct and Townsville Youth Council.
The Community Safety Plan was endorsed at a Full Council meeting yesterday.
