Call for community safety input
Acommunity group dedicated to working with police to reduce crime and improve safety in Horsham wants more people to come forward with proposals and to air their concerns.
Horsham Community and Police Consultative Committee chairman David Eltringham said many people might be unaware the advocacy group existed or what role it played in the region.
“The committee represents a community conduit between the average resident, Victoria Police and Horsham Rural City Council when it comes to helping address issues of community safety,” he said.
“And we want more people, if they have ideas or want to raise issues, to come forward.”
The committee meets bi-monthly and its next meeting will be at Horsham Sports and Community Club at 9am on December 13.
“We represent community concerns and are more than happy to discuss all sorts of issues and work to deal with them appropriately,” Mr Eltringham said.
“With the demise of former Neighbourhood Watch organisations, this committee accepts similar responsibilites and ideals. The idea is all about advocating for public concerns that authorities might or might not be aware of or that need community input and support.”
Mr Eltringham said much of the group’s direction involved the community working with police to promote safety and security.
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“A great example is the adoption of CCTV cameras in Horsham, which had its genesis based on concerns in Wilson Street, which led to discussion and debate with this committee.” Mr Eltringham said people planning to attend next month’s meeting should let him know by emailing him on djelt@ bigpond.com or secretary mayor Mark Radford at mark.radford@ hrcc.vic.gov.au.
“They can also drop a note into Horsham Police Station,” he said.
The committee meetings attract representatives from various organisations including Victoria Police, the council, State Emergency Service, Wimmera Mobility Group, Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network, Country Fire Authority, Federation University and Business Horsham.