By YASEMIN TALAT
Police hit the streets to restore community confidence
IMPROVING community interaction was the main aim of the new operation launched by Brimbank police last week.
Police officers from different units took to the streets of Sunshine to meet and chat to the community to improve community engagement.
The Brimbank Proactive Unit of Victoria Police conducted the one-day operation, which is part of a larger strategy, last Tuesday.
The operation known as PERCC, Proactive Engagements Restoring Community Confidence, was based on improving police interaction with the community of Brimbank as well engaging with external stakeholders.
Inspector Simon Stevens said it was important for the police to strengthen their relationship with the community.
“The purpose of the operation was to engage with our community and to gain a better understanding of what’s happening,” Inspector Stevens said.
“For me, it’s about strengthening relationships with our community, which includes our traders and our visitors,” he said.
Inspector Stevens said it was important for police to get out and speak with the local community and traders openly in their own environment.
“Any operation of this style is important because policing is about the community and our responses and our activities should be driven by community needs,” he said.
Police officers were joined by Brimbank Council representatives as well as representatives from the Salvation Army.
“What better way to ask a trader how we can help than having us and the council there at the same time,” Insp Stevens said.
A police information van was set up at Sunshine CBD giving residents the opportunity to approach officers and talk about any concerns or queries.
A wealth of information about many other police initiatives and community safety forms were also available at the van.
Inspector Stevens said the community responded well to the operation.
“I think people like to see us out there, I like to see us out there,” he said.
“It’s about making sure people know we are here and we are really trying, but we need everyone’s help.”
Residents who spoke to the police on the day were also asked to answer a few questions for a survey.
Inspector Stevens said he hoped the surveys, which asked general questions about safety and policing within Sunshine, would provide officers with new ideas.
“The surveys themselves were just a way to get some advice back from the community about local issues,” he said.
“It’s all about gaining a better understanding on what is happening and what the perceptions are out there and seeing whether or not we can include that into our future planning.”
Police also hoped to raise the profile of the Brimbank Eyewatch social media page, which can be accessed via Facebook.
“I think it’s a fantastic initiative that really gives people the opportunity to see what’s happening in their area and their community,” Insp Stevens said of the Eyewatch page.
“They can engage with us directly.”
To follow the page search “Eyewatch – Brimbank Police Service Area” on Facebook or follow: https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchbrimbankpsa
