Crime fighters get funding from State

BY BENEDICT BRUNKER

Sydney residents have been encouraged to come forward to the NSW Government with solutions to help reduce local crime and anti-social behaviour.

The fund boasts a budget of $10 million over four years, and provides grants of up to $250, 000 to community groups, councils, businesses and other organisations to approach the government with ideas for reducing crime in the eastern suburbs.

The state’s Attorney General and Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton, announced last Tuesday that the government was now accepting applications for 2017.

“The NSW Government’s Community Safety Fund invests in projects that address local crime hot spots and promotes safe and inclusive use of public space,” Ms Upton said.

Ms. Upton claimed the program had already led to the implementation of crime-reduction initiatives that had originated at the community level.

“The NSW Government is proud to partner with the community to prevent crime and address the fear of crime,” Ms Upton said.

“This program has funded community initiatives right across the state to enhance the work of Government and law enforcement agencies to combat crime.”

Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant promoted the government’s initiative as a means of reducing crime in NSW.

“We know there is always more that can be done to stamp out crime in our towns and suburbs and are working with the community to identify opportunities,” Mr Grant said.

“The reasons and consequences of crime in one region of NSW can be very different to other regions, therefore it is important to invest in local solutions.”

Greens MP David Shoebridge also encouraged the use of alternatives to police and prisons when combating local crime.

“The Greens are long term advocates for good public design, to prevent graffiti, which means designing public places which are safe, inviting and well-lit at night.

“Unfortunately a $10 million state-wide program to prevent crime is being overwhelmed by the $3.8 billion the Government is spending on building new and privatised jails,” he said.

MP Shoebridge’s comments refer to the 2016-2017 State budget which allocated $3.8 billion across four years to deliver up to 7000 new prison beds.

Dr Sean Sweeney, the former head of construction at Grocon, Australia’s largest construction management company, was appointed in June last year to oversee the delivery of the new prison infrastructure.