Brimbank Mayor Cr Virginia Tachos has welcomed the announcements made by the Victorian Government over the past 24 hours that will improve public safety, across Brimbank, Melbourne’s West and beyond.
“We thank the Premier and the Government for listening to our community’s safety concerns during this very difficult time and acting swiftly on them,” Cr Tachos said.
“Getting more PSOs on the streets to improve safety on suburban shopping strips is a step in the right direction. We look forward to working with police and the Government to ensure these new PSOs have an ongoing presence in Sunshine and across Brimbank.
“The expansion of the proven Community Connectors program into Sunshine and St Albans will make a real difference. This program will deliver critical frontline outreach to respond to anti-social behaviour and link vulnerable people with the help they need.
“Making grants available to councils across the west for safety improvements to our public spaces will improve amenity, community confidence and make people feel safer.
“Council has been strongly advocating for an increase to local police numbers and a more visible police presence.
“The increased police presence, particularly in Sunshine, over the past week is a good start, but it can’t be a short-term fix, our community needs this to continue.
“Mayors from across the Melbourne’s West met with police this week to discuss crime in our cities and we will now come together regularly to discuss ideas and solutions on how we can improve community safety.
“Council has also listened carefully to the trader and community concerns about changes needed to improve safety on Hampshire Road. In response, we have removed furniture that had become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
“This is just one of the practical steps Council is taking to improve safety and restore our community’s confidence in the Sunshine CBD.
“Council will also consider a Community Safety Report at our Council Meeting on Tuesday 18 August which will include proposals to commission a full safety assessment of the Sunshine and St Albans activity centres.
“I want to assure our community that Council will continue to work to make our streets safer because we all deserve to feel safe where we live and work.”
