Making streets safer
With six patrolling services run by four separate providers in Alice Springs, it is important for all patrollers to work together towards a safer town.
With six patrolling services run by four separate providers in Alice Springs, it is important for all patrollers to work together towards a safer town.
The Alice Springs Transformation Plan has committed $389,000 funding over two years for the appointment of a Patrol Coordinator to improve coordination, training and information sharing between patrolling services and Police in Alice Springs, particularly on the town camps.
Senior Sergeant Peter Dash has been a police officer for nearly 18 years, and has spent the majority of his career working in Alice Springs.
Senior Sergeant Dash was appointed as the Patrol Coordinator in April, and has focused his efforts on building a strong collaborative working relationship between all patrol services.
"There are a number of patrol service providers in Alice Springs including the Police, Tangentyere Council, Alice Springs Town Council, private security patrols, Congress After Hours Youth Service and the Northern Territory Government’s Youth Street Outreach Services, who are working together to make the streets of Alice Springs safe and ensure children wandering the streets are provided with appropriate support services," Senior Sergeant Dash said.
"The patrols share local intelligence on a day to day basis but also have formal fortnightly meetings to discuss emerging issues, crime trends and hot spots in and around the town."
"The collaborative efforts and sharing of information means patrol services can support each other and provide concerted effort to particular areas where problems are identified.
"We have had some positive results over the last six months with patrols working together and in addition integrated service delivery exercises undertaken during times when there are special events in town, like football carnivals.
"The integrated service delivery approach means a range of issues can be dealt with from public drinking, welfare issues to children not attending school and also assisting people return to country."
Senior Sergeant Dash said the combined patrols were considered to be an effective tool to bring services and education to the community at a grass roots level and would continue in the future.
"This summer the community will continue to see a co-ordinated community approach to ensure the successful management of hot spot areas and the streets of Alice Springs are kept safe."
Important phone numbers
Police assistance
131 444
or 000 in an emergency
Tangentyere Council Night and Youth Patrol assistance 8953 3110 or freecall 1800 133 110