Page 890 - Week 03 - Thursday, 30 March 2006
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because of a lack of resources. The small jobs are important jobs. They are the ones at the level of community perception. By dealing with them, we are engaging in preventative messages against larger crimes and we are nipping young law-breakers in the bud at a time that does not give them the sense that they can go on and do other things that are even scarier.
The other key point about the importance of community policing at the local level is the strong relationship that it builds between the local community and local police. Community policing is not just about traditional law enforcement. It is about prevention, problem solving, community engagement and partnerships. Mr Corbell has said that just because we do not see the police walking the beat does not mean that they are not doing their jobs. But to young people, or to anyone who feels that a shopping centre, a bus or whatever is fair game, knowing that police might be around is a deterrent. That is just the way it is.
The Office of Community Orientated Policing Services, within the US Department of Justice, has produced some material about the importance of community policing. It argues that in light of terrorism, for instance, community policing is more important now than ever. So here we are in Australia introducing antiterrorism legislation, spending a lot of money on programs that are supposed to enhance our national security, while in reality we are actually sucking resources from programs that have a proven track record in enhancing public safety, such as community policing.
We need to focus more on developing cohesive communities where community and local policing have a strong relationship based on trust and mutual respect. More effort on community policing was found to be an important point in investigations into the London bombings and accepted by the British government. Community policing at shopping centre precincts and elsewhere in our local community is an important tool in developing a more cohesive society, with reduced levels of crime.
In the absence of better information, I must conclude that unfortunately our government is failing to adequately resource this activity or respond to the community’s call for it. More worryingly, the government is denying us information that would inform a decent community debate on the issue.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (4.44): I support the comments made by Minister Corbell on this important subject. Canberra is one of the safest cities in Australia, although, as the national capital, it is often the focus of organised protest. That is not to say that, as members of this Assembly, we should not be aware of and concerned about our community’s perceptions of problem areas within our city.
Mr Stefaniak said earlier that we should legislate so that police can have the power to deal with people swearing in a public place. I would have to ask Mr Stefaniak whether he has ever watched television. We would have to go and arrest 50 per cent of the actors on channels 10, 9 and 7, and even on the ABC.
Canberra has an extensive and well-organised network of public places, including local shopping centres and larger town centre precincts. These are easily accessible and well-serviced with businesses, community services and recreation facilities. For some ACT residents, the shopping centres are emerging as an area of concern. Whether as
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