Police Address Crime Safety

By Paul Gellatly

Police gave an address on state-of-the-art crime prevention for business and residents at the September monthly meeting of  Bowen Chamber of Commerce.

Sgt Nigel Dalton, backed by Sgt Stephen Smith, both from Mackay District Crime Prevention Unit, and Sgt Michelle O'Regan of Bowen Police, addressed about 20 people at Bowen's Larrikin Hotel.

Chamber president Bruce Hedditch, who welcomed the police delegation, noted that "crime seems to be getting worse; unless we have the right advice, it is a very difficult problem to reduce."

Sgt Dalton said crime anxiety was being fanned by social and other media, making the problem seem constant and unrelenting. "The media can make you feel unsafe even in your own community," he said.

Sgt Dalton said Australia was still the 27th safest country in the world to live in and he urged people not to become caught up in crime anxiety, even if the country had slipped in the crime ratings.

He said domestic violence against women was one of the most dangerous crime scenarios to be faced, although men were by no means free from the risk of assault.

He also said police had for some years now embarked on an "assault-free zone" campaign for schools, pubs, hospitals, schoolies and other events, with effectiveness.

"There is not enough time in the day to handle reports at the counter anymore," said Sgt Dalton.

"We don't want to have a police officer sitting in an office rather than being on the beat."

"Try not to be fearful of this process," Sgt Dalton said.

He said the Facebook page was constantly monitored. "We are doing as much as we can to stay in touch."

Sgt Dalton also added that the use of cameras for evidence gathering was gaining momentum.

He talked about the Community Camera Alliance that was created in 2014 after some high-profile murders of women, and which drew on the new boom in popularity of CCTV cameras.

"We are appealing to anyone here tonight who have CCTV in their homes to get their cameras registered with us," he said.

Having linked cameras that could track crime suspects "was a turning point" for police, he said.

While there were community concerns about the community-wide use of these cameras, these could be addressed by proper siting so CCTV did not violate the privacy of neighbours, Sgt Smith said.

Sgt Dalton had a word of advice for those who preferred to take control of a potentially violent situation by themselves: "Don't".

"You can physically defend yourself but the law does not allow you to carry offensive weapons," he said.

Sgt O'Regan said that from every 50,000 young offenders in the state, probably less than 60 were a "crime core" who created crime "hot spots'.

Sgt Dalton said the myPolice Mackay/Whitsunday website mapped these hot spots and could alleviate anxiety about crime.

He said crime should be considered as a triangle with the sides being labelled crime, target, and opportunity, and anyone intent on not becoming a victim should be aware that "if you can remove one of the sides of the triangle, you can break the crime cycle".

The police message emphasises core personal safety strategies dealing with confrontation, situational safety strategies and safety in the home; online; out and about, on public transport; in the car; for children; seniors; the workplace; the social scene; and in helping others.

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Sgt Nigel Dalton from Mackay District Crime Prevention Unit, Sgt Michelle O'Regan of Bowen Police and Sgt Stephen Smith from Mackay District Crime Prevention Unit. Photo credit: Paul Gellatly

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