Night patrol rolls out
A COMMUNITY-developed initiative that aims to patrol the streets at night and reach at-risk young people has received a major boost from the state government.
The Cape community of Kowanyama will play host to a 12-month, $165,000 pilot program to improve public safety in the 1200-strong Aboriginal township.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford visited the community last week and said the program was one of several initiatives developed by the Kowanyama community.
“Council security officers will engage with at-risk people aged 15 years and over to build positive relationships and intervene early, diverting them to culturally safe activities and support services,’’ Mr Crawford said.
“Kowanyama’s established Community Police Program, which is currently self-funded by council, has been a success and this investment allows it to expand into a stand-alone security enterprise that includes a community night patrol,” he said.
Kowanyama Aboriginal
Shire Mayor Robbie Sands said the social reinvestment grant would build upon the safety and wellbeing programs on offer within Kowanyama.
“The Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council appreciates the ongoing partnership with the department and
looks forward to continuing to improve community safety,” Cr Sands said.
Police Minister Mark Ryan, who is also ministerial champion for Kowanyama, said council security officers would work in close partnership with the Queensland Police Service to target the
service to times and locations where they were most needed, and would receive training in de-escalation techniques.
The program has similarities to the Youth Connectors program in Cairns, for which the regional council was seeking $250,000 to fund workers
to work with at-risk young people in the CBD.
The team would carry out street-based engagement between 10pm and 3am Friday to Sunday to connect 10to-17-year-olds with specialist services, collaborating with police and youth services organisation YETI.