SafeCity brochure - City of Perth

WES T E RNAUST R ALIAsafecityPerth SafeCity

SafeCity PerthintroductionBy world standards Perth is a very safe, liveable,vibrant city with a diverse community. As acapital city we work in partnership with manyorganisations especially the police, a range ofgovernment and non-government agencies andthe community to ensure the streets and openspaces are safe and accessible to residents,workers and visitors.The City has many initiatives to addresscommunity safety and minimise crime, graffitiand anti-social behaviour as well as improvingperceptions of safety. Details of planning, physicalinitiatives and programs are outlined below.

SafeCity InitiativesplanningSafeCity Community Safety and CrimePrevention Plan 2010 - 2013The City’s 2006 - 2009 SafeCityCommunity Safety and CrimePrevention Plan was reviewed in2010 and progress was identified onmany actions which improved safetyin the city.Information obtained from this review and throughcommunity consultation, has resulted in thedevelopment of 40 actions to address four priorityissues in the 2010 - 2013 SafeCity plan:1. Lack of Activity in the City of Perth outsideBusiness Hours2. Excessive Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs3. Anti-Social Behaviour4. Environments where People feel Welcomeand SafeThe SafeCity Plan has been developed througha partnership between the City of Perth, Office ofCrime Prevention, the WA Police Service, StateGovernment agencies and community groups.Its implementation is being coordinated by theCommunity Safety Plan Officer who meets quarterlywith the SafeCity Working Group, whichis comprised of representatives from the plan’spartner organisations.

Safer DesignUrban designers and City staff are involved with theupgrade of streets and public spaces to improvecommunity amenity and safety incorporating: lighting,landscaping, land use mix and on street activity.Safety audits are conducted periodically to identifysafety and security issues which are then addressedin street enhancements.The City has developed Safer Design Guidelines(also known as Crime Prevention throughEnvironmental Design) to encourage crimeprevention and community safety principles in allnew developments, both public and private. This isparticularly important on key pedestrian pathways tocity attractions, public transport and car parks.There are many examples of recent upgradesthat have been made to key areas of the city.These include the development of laneways suchas Grand, Wolfe and Howard Lanes and featurelighting to key city buildingssuch as Council House.Changes in Northbridgeinclude enhanced lighting,the development of theNorthbridge Piazza andscreen; William Street; theCultural Centre and the newState Theatre Centre. Thesenewly activated areas nowprovide a wide range of cityexperiences for people of allages and interests.

SafeCity InitiativesphysicalCCTVThe City of Perth Surveillance Centreis a major safety and security initiativeto monitor key city locations. More than180 CCTV (Closed Circuit) camerasare placed throughout the CBD andNorthbridge.The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 daysa week by surveillance staff. A Police Officer isalso located in the camera room around the clock,and works in partnership with the SurveillanceOfficers.The operations and management of the CCTVsystem are consistent with the AustralianStandard for Closed Circuit Television (CCTV).The Surveillance Centre operates under strictPolicy and Procedureguidelines and a Codeof Conduct contains aconfidentiality clausewhich is followed by allSurveillance Officersoperating the system.If you require assistance or wish to report anincident in the City of Perth call 9461 6611.

Emergency Communication PolesAs part of the CCTV network, EmergencyCommunication Poles have been installedaround the city. They include CCTV, lighting anddirect push button audio communication to theSurveillance Centre.CBD emergency pole locations:• Outside Piccadilly Arcade, Hay Street Mall.• At the I-City Information kiosk, MurrayStreet Mall.• Opposite Telstra exchange, Wellington Street(east of Milligan Street).Northbridge emergency pole locations:• Corner James and William Sts, Cultural Centre.• Corner Milligan and James Sts, (south side ofRussell Square).• Corner Aberdeen and Parker Sts, (north side ofRussell Square).• Additional emergency poles are soon to beinstalled in the Cultural Centre.

Graffiti ReductionIn addition to provision of lighting and communityart to prevent graffiti in hotspots, the City of Perthhas a comprehensive graffiti treatment program.Graffiti is treated on Council owned buildings andstructures within 48 hours with an expectationof 72 hours for Government buildings andstructures.The City will work with private owners to treat/remove graffiti within 72 hours. This is a freeservice. A graffiti hotline provides for reporting aswell as general information.Report graffiti on the Graffiti Hotline between8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.Graffiti Hotline - 1800 10 90 10

SafeCity Initiativesprograms &servicesRanger / SecurityRanger / Security Officerspatrol the city to supportpublic safety. They attendto complaints by businessproprietors and the generalpublic concerning buskers,charitable collectors, streettraders, alfresco dining,abandoned vehicles, fire control, animal control,buildings sites and illegal signs.The officers work closely with the Police, retailers,government, the community and a number ofnon government agencies. They also ensure allrelevant Acts, local laws and regulations or permitsare enforced while maintaining a high degree ofprofessionalism.If you require assistance during business hoursphone 9461 3854 or after hours phone 9461 6611.CityWatchCityWatch is a free City of Perth service, which isavailable to all retailers and traders in the CBD.Once registered with the program, participants willbe advised by phone or internet of safety issues orcriminal activity in the vicinity to their premises, as itoccurs. This system enables traders to be proactivein preventing further events and to report activitywhich may prevent or lead to resolution of a criminalactivity or situation in the community.To find out more and to register for CityWatch go tohttp://community.perth.wa.gov.au/citywatch

Supervised Taxi RanksThe City of Perth in conjunction with theDepartment of Transport provide two supervisedtaxi ranks in the Northbridge precinct. They operateFriday nights/Saturday mornings and Saturdaynights/Sunday mornings as follows:• Milligan St: Fri 12.00 am to 4.00 amSat 11.00 pm to 6.00 am• William St: Fri and Sat 12.00 am to 4.00 amThe purpose of these ranks is to provide latenight, safe locations for taxi operators andpatrons in Northbridge. The ranks are monitoredby the CCTV camera network and staffed byrank management officers during these times.Way finding signs have been installed in centralNorthbridge to direct patrons to these ranks.How are you Travelling?This pocket sized guide provides information onnight transport and having a safe night out.It includes information on public transport stops,which are central to manyvenues, well lit and accessible.Also listed are details on howto obtain help and information.A central city map showslocations of evening and latenight services including publictransport, toilets and supervised taxi ranks.The guide can be downloaded atwww.perth.wa.gov.au/safecity

Perth City Liquor AccordThe Perth City Liquor Accord is an inter-agencygroup which promotes best practice in theresponsible serviceof alcohol in the city.The Liquor Accord ischaired by a City ofPerth councillor andincludes licensees,Police, the City ofPerth and the Officeof Racing, Gaming and Liquor. Together membersdevelop and deliver strategies that encourage asafe and welcoming environment for patrons atlicensed venues and surrounding areas.One recent strategy of the Accord, has beenthe support and sponsorship of the productionof an educational DVD The Gathering. Thiscollaborative project with the City of Melville, aimsto raise awareness and discussion amongst seniorhigh school students of the dangers and possibleconsequences of binge drinking.ToiletsPublic toilets are located across the city andNorthbridge. Supervised and secure toilets areavailable at the James Street entrance to theRoe Street car park, (opposite the Piazza) andCityplace Rest Centre, by Perth Station. Syringedisposal units are located in most public toiletsto reduce the risk of needle stick injuries to cityvisitors.

Street ChaplainsThe Street Chaplains are a community based groupwho work in Northbridge and provide crisis pastoralcare to people on the streets late at night. TheStreet Chaplains are volunteers who work in teams,on Friday and Saturday nights between 11pmand 6am.Nyoongar Night Patrols, NorthbridgeThe Nyoongar Patrol Outreach Service is acommunity based service that deals with social andwelfare issues, particularly those of children andyouth, within Northbridge on Friday and Saturdaynights. It provides early, street level interventionsto local and remote Indigenous people frequentingpublic spaces. The Northbridge patrol can becontacted on 0403 217 901 between 8.00 pm and4.00 am on Friday and Saturday nights.Step 1 Street-work Program (Anglicare WA)The Step 1 Street-work Program (a program ofAnglicare WA) is a street-based outreach andintensive support service, assisting 12 -18 year old‘at risk’ homeless and street-present young people inthe Perth inner city area.The Mobile Youth Resource Centre (Step 1 bus)is in the city centre daily. The Step 1 Street-workProgram provides information, support, advocacy,informal counseling and referral.On Friday eveningsStep 1 provides ayouth recreationprogram at the CulturalCentre.

Street DoctorStreetDoctor is a mobile, easily accessible,confidential bulk-billing primary health care service.It provides the services you would normally findin a GP Practice, with a team of GPs, RegisteredNurses and Outreach Workers. StreetDoctor aims toimprove health outcomes and reduce hospitalisationfor disadvantaged people of all ages.The service operates:• Monday: 9.00 am to 3.00 pm atPassages Resource Centre,22 Palmerston Street, Northbridge• Tuesday & Thursday: 5.30 pm to 9.00 pm on thecorner of Pier and Wellington Streets, Perth• Saturday: 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm on the corner ofAberdeen and Stirling Streets, NorthbridgeHomelessWest Australians, who are at risk of,or experiencing homelessness, aresome of the most vulnerable in thecommunity and require support to endhomelessness. The City of Perth andcommunity agencies work togetherto organise Homeless Connect whichis an annual, one day event at whichservice providers come together toprovide information and services to homeless people.Details of services and providers can be obtainedin the Homeless Services in the Inner Citybrochure which is available from the City of Perthon 9461 3145.

Community InvolvementResidents and local businesses are encouragedto become involved in community safety andcrime prevention, as everyone has a role to play inkeeping the city safe.Report crime as it happens to Police on 131 444.To be effective Police need to hear from you aboutwhat is happening, when it happens.Report it now and report it often.By doing this you will help build a profile of issuesand locations, so that action can be taken.You may also wish to participate in the East PerthCommunity Safety Group meetings and events.These provide opportunities for you to be kept upto date with safety initiatives and to get involvedwith other city residents.More InformationIf you require more details on any of the safetyand crime prevention initiatives in this publicationplease contact the Community Safety Plan Officeron 9461 3845 or go towww.perth.wa.gov.au/safecity

Messages and Photos by Nikki Kellow, Sarah Wilkinson and Ofa Benness

WES T E RNAUST R ALIASafeCityJune 2011contacts &informationEmergency – Police / Ambulance / Fire 000WA Police Assistance 131 444Surveillance Centre (24 hour CCTV) 9461 6611Surveillance Centre Emergency Line 9461 6666Ranger / Security (business hours) 9461 3854Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000Nyoongar Patrol 0403 217 901Graffiti Hotline (business hours) 1800 109 010City of Perth 9461 3333www.perth.wa.gov.au/safecityCommunity Safety Plan Officer 9461 3845safecity