Tara Murray
Safety concerns around Errington Reserve and Alfrieda Street in St Albans continue to grow despite an increased police presence.
As reported by the Star Weekly, residents and some councillors have raised fears about anti-social behaviour in the area. There concerns include people selling stolen items on the street, drug paraphernalia being found in the area, the presence of burnt-out cars, people being threatened by groups of drunk people, fights and people urinating in public.
Star Weekly was told last week that people were selling knives in Alfrieda Street, while another resident said people don’t feel safe using the facilities at Errington Reserve.
Brimbank community wellbeing director Lynley Dumble said the council is aware of the current concerns in and around the Errington Reserve precinct.
She said the concerns relate to not only safety matters, but also the health and wellbeing of some of the people who are assembling in the area.
The council will consider applications to the Victorian government’s Building Safer Communities program to help make the area safer.
“This is a complex situation and requires co-ordinated responses from a range of stakeholders to provide long term solutions and ensure that all people feel safe in going about their everyday activity in the area,” Ms Dumble said.
“Throughout 2021, council has engaged police, local traders, sporting clubs, youth services and health and community service providers to initiate interventions to maintain safety for all people using the area. “Victoria Police are aware of the ongoing situation, increasing regular patrols of the area and responding quickly when needed. Council will continue to work with police to prevent crime and introduce community policing programs.”
Ms Dumble said the council is working closely with local homelessness, housing and alcohol and drug services to address the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour.
She said the council was also developing activations to encourage people to use the facilities in a safe and respectful manner.
“Council will be trialling pilot programs facilitated by Brimbank Youth Services with support from youth stakeholders at Errington Reserve prior to Christmas 2021.
“This will then extend and continue to ongoing activations early next year.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police conduct regular intelligence-led patrols in and around the St Albans area to engage with residents and businesses, and to detect and deter criminal activity.
“Local operations addressing specific crime themes are regularly run by general duties police, with the support of specialist units such as the Public Order Response Team, Mounted Branch, Transit police and PSOs on an intelligence led basis,” the spokesperson said.
“Local police continue to work closely with the council and other stakeholders to enhance crime prevention measures and ensure the area is safe.
“No matter the time of day, Brimbank police are always actively detecting and disrupting crime, arresting criminals and protecting the community.”
