Let’s call in the dogs to stop property crime
NIGHTLY security patrols by guards with leashed dogs could be the answer to preventing property crime on Darwin businesses, a security expert has claimed.
Prominent business owner Jason Hanna has called for Darwin City Council to fund security firm Visual Security to patrol the Darwin CBD.
The firm, led by manager Jim Kelly, claims the presence of guard dogs can reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and property crime after a week of patrols.
Mr Hanna’s business enterprise of restaurants and bars has continually been targeted by thieves.
He vented his frustration and floated a new approach in a social media post.
“This local security company and its services is exactly what Darwin City Council should be using in the CBD after sundown to keep undesirables away from business, property and inhibiting commerce,” he said.
“During the day their own city rangers should be tasked with assisting and communicating with local businesses, police and other agencies to continue to move on anyone that is squatting, harassing or generally making the CBD unsightly, unfriendly and unpleasant.”
Mr Kelly said the introduc- tion of guard dogs on patrols in communities like Groote Eylandt and Port Keats had an almost immediate effect.
He said thieves would come on to work sites to steal cars and generators and when employees intervened they were attacked.
“We operate as a deterrent. The dogs allow us to go into high-risk areas and provide a safety mechanism for my staff and myself. The day and age of a security guard being a good way of deterring criminals just isn’t working any more,” he said.
“They are not scared of police, they are not scared of security guards they are not scared of the consequences or the judicial system at all.
“In areas of high risk, in some remote communities we have had a high success rate of reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and reducing in those areas they were having big problems with assaults.”