Emergency Services Showcase
Community Safety Project
Working collaboratively to identify and address local community safety priorities
Principal presenter: Pam Longland - Project Officer, Community Engagement Unit
- Where we began
- Methods we used to involve people
- On the journey
- Challenges
- Where we ended up
- What we learnt
- Keeping it going
Where we began
In early 2002, Department of Emergency Services (DES) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) formed a partnership to enhance the capability of communities to prevent crime and improve personal and community safety.
The result of this partnership, was the development of the Community Safety Project, which included the existing community-based Neighbourhood Watch program.
A critical aspect of the initial engagement process, particularly in relation to the Neighbourhood Watch groups, was to acknowledge, affirm and strengthen their current relationship with the QPS.
Methods we used to involve people
- Meetings with local DES, QPS and key Neighbourhood Watch personnel to form a local working group;
- Development and circulation of the Community Safety Survey to determine community safety awareness and practice levels;
- Involvement of various community groups through CPR training sessions, etc.;
- Contact with local residents through Operation Safehome visits;
- School/Community Open Days to promote QAS and QPS community safety initiatives;
- Joint DES/QPS presentation/static displays at local shows;
- Visits to local Preschools by Queensland Fire and Rescue Services (QFRS) with their Mascot, Blazer the Bear;
- Involvement of various community stakeholders through implementation of Kerbside numbering projects;
- Promotion of the project through the electronic and print media;
- Involvement of the school community through representation of DES and QPS community safety programs at local primary and high schools; and
- Development of the pilot Junior Neighbourhood Watch project, which has been designed to develop skills and provide increased awareness of accident and injury prevention, crime prevention and personal safety in Year 7 students.
On the journey
The key successes to the implementation of this project are:
- the commitment of senior DES and QPS regional executives;
- an effective, enthusiastic and cohesive local working group;
- the willingness of community members to become actively involved in the project;
- using established networks and relationships; and
- broadly supported partnership arrangements between the DES, QPS and Neighborhood Watch communities.
The key features of this project include:
- one point of contact within government for the participating Neighbourhood Watch groups;
- local government and community champions;high-level commitment in DES and QPS;
- funding and resources to support the project in each location; and
- evaluation to inform the project. (Resident's survey and identify their own community safety and enhancement issues. The information gathered provides a benchmark for project evaluation).
Challenges
The most significant challenge identified in the 2002 pilot was the impact on QAS, DES and QPS resources, as well as an increased workload for the Neighbourhood Watch groups. The rollout of this project, particularly in the distribution and collection of surveys, placed considerable pressure and extra demands on the Neighbourhood Watch volunteers. In response to these challenges the following outcomes have evolved:
- During the 2003/04 rollout of the project into a further six communities, Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) have been used to assist the Neighbourhood Watch and QPS. These civilian personnel currently support Police throughout the State in a range of community initiatives.
- Local Ambulance Committees members have also been identified as a resource to assist the QAS in the implementation of the CPR2000 component of the project.
- QAS officers currently employed on light duties have also been identified as a resource to assist in the promotion of QAS programs at Open Days and school presentations for example.
Where we ended up
A direct outcome of this project is a greater understanding by community participants of the processes of Government, and an understanding of the opportunities and constraints of working with government. The government-community relationships developed through the implementation of this project will provide the foundation for future engagement.
Key community outcomes of the project include:
- tailored prevention programs to meet community needs;
- increased community awareness of local safety needs and the resources available to address those needs;
- capability development in a range of skills and knowledge not only related to safety, but also communication, organisation, negotiation and networking skills; and
- maximised community safety outcomes through a more coordinated and targeted use of government and community resources.
Some examples of the community capacity building outcomes follow:
- Targeted use of resources in order to solve storm surge issues. Andergrove communities identified issues unique to their local area: storm surge a local awareness campaign was instigated.
- A kerbside numbering program was instigated with contributions by Local Government, residents, the school community and the business community. Communities had identified difficulties in the accurate location of homes by emergency services vehicles.
- The establishment of the State's first Junior Neighbourhood Watch through the Community Safety Project in the Harrisfields Neighbourhood Watch community in Woodridge. The program which is targeted at 80 Year 7 students of Harrisfields State School, is designed to develop skills and provide increased awareness of accident and injury prevention, crime prevention and personal safety. In addition, students are encouraged to adopt the principles of the Neighbourhood Watch program, within both the school and the larger community. The program will incorporate CPR, relevant first aid and fire safety training as well as a strong focus on both personal and community safety. The program will be delivered by local Police and Emergency Services personnel, with components of the program, particularly the CPR training, being delivered by qualified community members, under the QAS' CPR peer training program.
- The development and distribution of the Community Safety Kit is another key project outcome. The kit comprises information about community, home and personal safety initiatives of DES and has been widely circulated throughout the Queensland community, including Queensland's 800 Neighbourhood Watch communities. The kit encourages Neighbourhood Watches to broaden their existing crime prevention focus by providing access to the personal and community safety programs of Emergency Services.
What we learnt
The key community engagement learnings offered by this project include:
- community issues and solutions need to be identified locally;
- sustainability requires capability development, local ownership and high-level commitment;
- dedicated resources are critical;
- resources are essential, such as time and human resources;
- valuing local networks for their knowledge and relationships; and
- acknowledging the constraints of working in a collaborative environment.
Keeping it going
The government-community relationships developed through this project will help to sustain community engagement into the future.
This will occur through:
- relationship development, particularly through membership of the local working group;
- higher level of community awareness of the role of DES and QPS in community safety;
- local outcomes of the project which will provide the impetus for ongoing engagement;
- the development of engagement capability skills, such as communication, organisation, negotiation and networking skills; and
- development and circulation of the Community Safety Kit.
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