What makes you feel safe? Community safety plan open for comment

WHAT makes you feel safe? Wollongong City Council is calling for community comment on its draft community safety plan 2021-2025.

The draft plan will be on public exhibition from September 23 to October 26. The plan details Council’s safety approach through a range of crime prevention strategies organisation wide, and by targeting specific crimes and perceptions of safety in the Wollongong region.

Priorities within the plan focus on community safety, gendered violence, anti-social behaviour, and crimes relating to personal property and the environment.

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said Council has been working in conjunction with government and non-government agencies on a variety of social and situational prevention strategies to help create a feeling of belonging in our local communities which assists in preventing neighbourhood crime.

“We are proud to play an active role in community safety, and we are committed to working collaboratively with our residents to build, maintain and promote Wollongong as a safe, vibrant and engaging city,” he said.

Approaches within the plan include trimming trees and improved sight lines, removing graffiti to make places feel safer, urban design that considers lighting, and activated public spaces through markets, public art and exercise groups to reduce opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Ultimately, we want everyone who is acting responsibly to be and feel safe in our city, regardless of where they are.

“Police and other agencies have their role to play in community safety but Council has its own opportunities which are important to help support safety and crime reduction. We need your input to let us know what is important, so that we can continue to strengthen our approach in supporting the safety of all of our residents,” Cr Bradbery said.

The strategy is currently available for comment on Council’s Join the Conversation website until Thursday, August 6.

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