Moree Plains Shire Council Crime Prevention Plan

ABN 66 124 446 831

BUILDING A FAMILY FRIENDLY SHIRE, TOGETHER Moree Shire Crime Prevention Plan OCTOBER 2011 contact Stephen Blackadder, Director, Blackadder Associates Pty Ltd PO Box 493 Concord NSW 2137 | stephen@blackadderassoc.com.au 0412 255 149 | www.blackadderassoc.com.au

Moree Plains Shire Crime Prevention Plan – Building a Family Friendly Shire, Together

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Table of Contents 01 Introduction

3–5

02 Moree Plains Shire

6

03 The Shire’s Crime Profile

7–11

04 The Crime Prevention Plan

12 - 29

05 Monitoring and Evaluation

30 - 31

Appendix 1

Crime Statistics

32 - 33

Appendix 2

Glossary

34

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1. Introduction  This Plan has been developed to work towards a safer environment and a family friendly community  You, the Moree Plains Community, have identified the need for it 1.1

CRIME PREVENTION PLANS AND THIS DOCUMENT

Moree Plains Shire Council has a long-standing commitment to improving community safety and reducing crime within the Shire. Whilst a Crime Prevention Plan was developed for the Shire in 2005, it is considered appropriate to develop a new Plan, building on the efforts of the previous document.

Under the Children (Protection and Parental Responsibility) Act 1997, Local Government is identified as the lead agency for identifying and implementing local crime prevention strategies. The following Plan aims not only to work towards a safer environment, but also build a family friendly community through involving Council, NSW Police Force, government and non-government agencies and the wider community (as summarised in Figure 1).

Objectives To enable evaluation of successful delivery of this Plan, its key objectives are to:  Focus on crime prevention over the next five years;  Take a coordinated approach to implementing short- and long-term actions; and  Make a targeted contribution to preventing specific crimes throughout the Shire.

1.2

WHY THE NEED?

Development of the Moree 2030 Community Strategic Plan The Moree Plains Community identified the need for a crime prevention plan.

During the development of the long-term community strategic plan, Moree Plains 2030, consultation with the Moree Plains Community helped to create the following vision: Blessed by the Plains’ rich black soils and artesian waters, Shire residents enjoy a vibrant rural economy, have a deep cultural connection to Country, and harbour a deep respect for their place and each other in such a way as to impress newcomers.

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Yet, the community conceded that achieving this vision was challenged by the prevalence of local crime, and the image of the Shire. The implementation of the Crime Prevention Plan will contribute to that vision by helping to develop a community that will “harbour a deep respect for their place and each other in such a way as to impress newcomers”.

Links with Other Plans A number of other documents have identified the need to reduce crime, not only in Moree Plains, but also on a wider scale; namely: Moree Plains Delivery Plan, 2011 NSW State Plan, 2010

Moree Plains Crime Prevention Plan, 2005 Moree Vision 2020, 2003

In particular, the Moree Plains Community identified a need to increase community pride and reduce anti-social behaviour.

A state-wide requirement has been identified to: 

Reduce violent and property crimes by 10 % and 15 %, respectively; and



Reduce alcohol related crime.

Identified the need to target and concentrate the Shire’s limited resources on domestic violence and urban regeneration.

Similarly, the local community identified in 2003 a desire to: 

Reduce overall crime by 20 % by the year 2020, measured by the number of arrests made annually;



Increase the respect members of the community have for property and authority, such as our police, teachers, older citizens; and



Contribute positively to the image Moree has in the broader community in relation to crime.

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Figure 1.

The Process Behind the Planâ€&#x;s Development and Implementation (based on Australian Government1).

Involve the Community Implement the plan and review its success

How will progress be measured?

Agree on key objectives & activities & who is responsible

Identify local problems through crime statistics & local knowledge

Find out what else is happening?

Set up crime prevention groups

What could be done to prevent crime? What is being done elsewhere?

Australian Government, Developing and implementing your crime prevention project plan, National Community Crime Prevention Programme.

1

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2. Moree Plains Shire  The identity and values of Moree Plains have been shaped by the culture of the Kamilaroi (Gamilaroi) People, the early farmers and our natural resources.

From the Queensland/New South Wales Border in the north, westwards towards Walgett, south to Gurley towards Narrabri and east to the township of Biniguy towards Warialda, Moree Plains Shire is one of New South Wales’ largest Local Government Areas with a total area of 17,851 square kilometres. At the 2006 census, the Shire had a population of 13,976.

Prior to the 1830s, the region was the province of the Kamilaroi (Gamilaroi) People, the second largest group on the eastern side of Australia. The main soul of the nation was made up of smaller family groups, the descendants of which are known as “Murris”.

The Kamilaroi have contributed significantly to the Shire. Not only does their culture remain an integral part of today’s society, but the name “Moree” is thought to mean “the Long Water Hole” in Kamilaroi (Gamilaroi), although some historians have translated the name to mean “the Rising Sun”.

The beginnings of European settlement within the Moree Plains Shire came with the early exploration by Oxley and Mitchell. However, the majority of the pioneering and exploratory work after 1840 fell to the squatters. Settlement in the wider Gwydir Valley district was driven by the influences of transport, mining and pastoral activities.

The township of Moree was established in 1862 and evidence of these early settlers still remains. One of the oldest remaining built areas overlooking the Mehi River is the Mary Brand Park, site of Moree’s second store and the Moree Inn which was opened on 1 January 1861 by Mary Brand, the First European Woman in Moree.

In 1890, Moree Council was incorporated and consisted of nine elected representatives.

Today, the major town within the Shire remains Moree, approximately 650 kilometres north–north west of Sydney, on the Gwydir and Mehi Rivers. Yet there is a total of ten settlements in the Shire, ranging in size from small collections of houses to large centres like Moree with more than 3,600 houses.

The local economy has been reliant predominantly on agriculture. Cotton, wheat and other grains, sheep, cattle, oil seeds, olive produce and pecan nuts contribute significantly.

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3. The Shire’s Crime Profile  Crime priorities identified by the Moree Plains Community included various forms of stealing, break and enter and malicious damage to property  Priorities identified from crime statistics were similar to those observed by the community, but also included domestic violence and other forms of assault  This Plan will focus on preventing stealing, burglary and domestic violence and improving the Shire’s image 3.1

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

Fifteen workshops or interviews were conducted throughout the Shire between May and July, 2011, facilitated by Blackadder Associates Pty Ltd, a specialist local government consultancy. Over 110 Moree Plains Shire people were involved in consultations.

Meetings were held with:   

The community within Moree; The community within Boggabilla; Moree Plains Shire Councillors and senior management;

  

The community within Mungindi; Barwon Police Local Area Command; The Youth Interagency Team;

 

Moree Place Interagency Team; Moree Town’s Chamber of Commerce; Family Support Office; Moree Court House;

 

Moree’s migrant community; Moree’s youth;



Community Drug Action Team;



Essential Energy Moree.

 

In an attempt to engage with as many within the Plains Community as possible, Council also placed articles and advertisements in the Moree Champion as well as used its Facebook page seeking solutions from the community.

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3.2

CONSULTATION PRIORITIES

The workshops and interviews identified a number of important issues confronting the Shire. These issues require resolution over time to ensure the long-term social wellbeing of the Shire and are described in detail in Table 1.

Table 1.

Key Findings from the Community Consultation

What You Said The types of crimes occurring are diverse

And do not occur in just one location at a particular time.

In Detail While the community identified an array of crimes, the priority crimes identified were:  Stealing from people; 

Stealing from vehicles;



Stealing of vehicles;



Stealing from properties (residential and retail);



Break and enter;



Malicious damage to property; and



Domestic violence.

Rather than being able to pinpoint particular locations where crime is concentrated, the community identified that the crimes are spread throughout the Shire. Similarly, there is not a high probability that crimes will take place at a particular time; crime occurs randomly throughout the week.

Whilst the majority of the Shire’s crime occurs within Moree itself, Boggabillla and Mungindi also experience high rates of crime when considering their comparatively smaller populations. It is also important to note that the community believes that Goondiwindi is also adversely impacted by crime “overflowing” from Boggabilla and Toomelah.

The reasons for these crimes are complex

The reasons identified are diverse and often interwoven; namely: 

The lack of “things to do”, a lack of entertainment;



A lack of employment for younger people;



Difficulties retaining younger people at school;



The abuse of drugs and alcohol usage;



The complicating impacts of mental health;



Dysfunctional home lives, often over generations, for those who turn to crime;



A feeling in younger people of being isolated from the community and not appreciated; and



A number of environmental factors (described in further detail in Section 3.4).

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There are many passionate agencies helping

The community is very appreciative of the efforts by government and nongovernment agencies, alike, in what is often a thankless job. It was regularly highlighted that a number of agencies are working within Moree Plains to support those undergoing hardship get back on their feet.

Yet, there is an opportunity to achieve greater coordination.

Those supportive agencies have, to date, been unable to coordinate their efforts to maximise their effectiveness in resolving some of the complex issues Moree Plains faces. Consequently, there is some duplication and much divergence, resulting in their collective efforts not reinforcing one another.

Importantly, it is also considered that the Shire suffers from poor perceptions.

A suggestion was made in a number of workshops that crime and crime rates within Moree Plains were comparable with anywhere in NSW. Instead, the Shire had made the news for the wrong reasons and had found it difficult to shrug off those perceptions that had built as a result. This has also adversely influenced pride in the Shire and may have contributed to further crime.

3.3

STATISTICAL PRIORITIES

A review was undertaken of statistics held by the Barwon Local Area Command (LAC) and the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) on different crime types occurring within Moree Plains over approximately the past two years. These issues are described in greater detail in Table 2.

Table 2.

Key Findings from Analysing Local Crime Statistics

What the Statistics Indicate

In Detail

There are a number of crimes taking place, particularly in Moree

The crimes that are being committed with the greatest frequency over the past two years are:  Stealing from vehicles; 

Stealing from retail stores;



Assault, domestic violence and non-domestic violence;



Break and enter from residences and otherwise; and

 Malicious damage to property.

The vast majority of these are taking place within Moree, itself (Appendix 1, Table 1).

Crimes in Moree are not confined to “hotspots”

Data from BOCSAR indicate that Moree Town, whilst having the majority of crime, does not have particular or all main crimes isolated to particular locations or streets. Instead, the crime is spread throughout town, confirming the views raised during community consultation.

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Rankings of many of these crimes are considered high within the surrounding region

3.4

The high frequency with which many of these crime types are occurring is also reflected in how Moree Plains Shire is ranked on these in comparison with the rest of the State. That is, Moree Plains is ranked in the top ten for each of these throughout NSW based on the rate of occurrence per head population (highlighted in yellow in Appendix 1, Table 2). With some exceptions, this is fairly unique within the wider region, when compared with Gwydir, Narrabri and Walgett Shires (Appendix 1, Table 2).

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

Table 2 highlighted an array of complex socio-economic issues occurring over the longterm that have adversely contributed to the existence of crimes within the Shire, particularly domestic violence and other forms of assault, but also contributing to encouraging stealing, break and enter related crimes and malicious damage to property.

Yet, situation analysis places greater focus on considering the environment in which crimes occur the most and determine if there are simple reasons facilitating crime.

These may include the design of structures, natural or man-made, within the environment, their maintenance or visibility around these.

Indeed, there is a range of more immediate circumstances within the Shire, which facilitate opportunities for stealing and break and enter related crime, in particular.

These include:  Inadequate lighting within main streets in Moree. Of particular concern is the lighting in the area bounded by Frome, Gwydir, Auburn and Albert Streets and Balo Street between Albert and Frome Streets; 

The open nature of car parks. The car parks within Moree provide opportunities for crime because there are plenty of cars present but the owners are in nearby shops or the pools;



Inadequate signage within car parks. Many car parks within Moree do not have signage reminding users to take valuables with them when leaving their cars;



The isolated nature of some areas surrounding Moree. That some areas are separated from adjacent areas by large tracts of grassland enhances their isolation and disconnection from the rest of the wider Moree Community;



The poor upkeep of public and private land within Boggabilla and Mungindi. That grass verges remain unmown, for example, and that numerous derelict or damaged houses remain upstanding rather than being demolished contributes to a misunderstanding that these poor standards are acceptable; and

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

3.5

Naiveté on the part of a number of victims. A key issue identified during community consultation was the belief that many within the community left valuables in highly visible and accessible places and did not lock up houses or their vehicles as they felt they were not at risk of crime.

THE WAY FORWARD

Moree Plains determined the strategic way forward after considering:    

Strong statistical evidence from Barwon LAC and BOCSAR; Concerns raised by the community during consultation; The ability of Council and the community to make a significant impact through initiatives in the short-, medium- and long-term; and The committed agreement of Local Area Command to enter into a partnership;

The crime types that have been selected to be the focus of the following Action Plan are stealing, break and enter and domestic violence. This is not to say that the other crimes that are not to be targeted within the Shire are of lesser importance – but there need to be tradeoffs if the Plan is to be realistic in its aspirations.

If this Plan is to be implemented over the course of the next five years, then the Shire’s limited resources should not be spread over too many actions. That is, “do a (relatively) few, and do them well”. Consequently, some issues such as improving employment (or increasing the motivation to obtain employment) and, to a large extent, education and entertainment will not receive the focus here that they arguably deserve. Otherwise, the Plan would be unwieldy, running the risk of overwhelming those responsible for delivering its actions and achieving little. Those issues must be the focus of their own strategies to be aligned with this Plan.

The situation analysis identified that there are a number of environmental factors that contribute to facilitating stealing or break and enter within Moree, where the majority of these crimes take place. Consequently, these two crimes have been selected because initiatives can be implemented in the short- to medium-term to reduce the occurrence of these crimes.

Furthermore, efforts to combat either stealing or break and enter can be expected to reinforce prevention of one another. This not only makes it feasible to prevent these two crime types, but if the actions described in Section 4 are implemented, will make efficient use of the community’s collective effort.

Domestic violence has been selected because of the very serious physical consequences of this type of crime as compared to many of the other crime types occurring, and not because implementing short- or medium-term solutions will significantly reduce its occurrence.

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4.

The Crime Prevention Plan

 A strategy statement was developed to summarise just what it is that will be undertaken to work towards a safer environment and a family friendly community  The outcomes sought to deliver this strategy are: a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong; increased pride and respect; and an improved image visitors have of our Shire  The Plan details how these outcomes are to be facilitated, who will be responsible for delivering the actions, when and what success should look like The Shire’s crime prevention direction can be summarised in the following strategy statement:

“Working together, we shall reinforce a family friendly Shire through creating an environment that deters stealing and break and enter, breaks the cycle of domestic violence long-term and builds a more positive image, whilst maintaining a sense of urgency” The objectives developed to achieve the above statement, contributing to the achievement of the Shire’s strategic direction are shown in Figure 2. By understanding and remembering what is described within this “map”, Moree Plains Shire can retain a high level focus on what it needs to do to prevent crime.

The map presents a holistic cause-and-effect framework for the key things we must consider in order to achieve our strategy and building a safer environment and family friendly community. That is, in order to achieve our strategy and outcomes, we must work effectively through the Shire’s key stakeholders to drive delivery of the actions.

The numerous objectives fall within and across three themes, which have considered the challenges described in Section 3; namely:  Creating an environment that deters stealing and break and enter;  Breaking the cycle of domestic violence in the long-term; and  Building a more positive image.

Tables 3 - 13 describe in detail how these objectives, and hence, the strategy are to be delivered.

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Figure 2.

Our strategic direction to prevent crime from 2011 to 2016. NB. Those objectives highlighted in the white oval shapes are existing objectives identified within Moree Plains 2030, which this document’s direction is aligned with.

Working together, we shall reinforce a family friendly Shire through creating an environment that deters stealing and break and enter (B & E), breaks the cycle of domestic violence longterm and builds a more positive image, whilst maintaining a sense of urgency Our community expects us to contribute to achieving the following outcomes: The Community

Our Programs and Processes



A sustainable & inclusive community where all people belong

 

Increased pride & respect An improved image visitors have of our Shire

Create an environment that deters stealing and B & E

Build a more positive image

Reduce the appeal to commit crime by improving key locations

Change external perceptions of our Shire‟s appeal

Break the cycle of domestic violence long-term Improve crisis management Create innovative means for offenders and victims to break the cycle

Make it harder for people to be opportunistic targets Increase community pride and reduce anti-social behaviour Show that all are valued Provide diverse sports, recreation, activities, entertainment and events

Help our younger people to break the intergenerational cycle

Ensure accountability & transparency are maintained

Working Through Our Stakeholders

Government, business and the community truly coordinated in their efforts to prevent crime

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Table 3.

Reduce the appeal to commit crime by improving key locations

The Offence Targeted: Project: Rationale:

Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

Actions

Stealing and break and enter Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – physical improvements Feedback from the community and also from auditing key locations indicated that the implementation of physical improvements to public and private locations could play a significant role in cutting opportunistic crimes throughout the Shire Council with partnering from Essential Energy, Barwon LAC and the Chambers of Commerce Reducing the frequency of stealing (in each category) and break and entering into houses, shops and other buildings is expected to result in increased pride and respect as well as an improved image visitors have of our Shire Performance Measure

Implement improved street lighting in the area bounded by Frome, Gwydir, Auburn and Albert Streets Implement improved street lighting on Balo Street between Albert and Frome Streets Implement improved street lighting near the railway station

Timeframes

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Funded By

Milestone

Yes

Essential Energy

Installation of lighting

September 2014 By 2016, reduce stealing or break and enters in relevant area by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

September 2015

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Install mobile remote control security cameras at emerging crime hot spots surrounding the railway station or 24 hour petrol stations,

By 2016, reduce repeat stealing or break and enter crimes in the relevant areas by 10 % in based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

September 2013

Yes

Grants

Installation of cameras

Roll out improved signage in car parks based on risk of stealing associated with individual parks

By 2016, reduce stealing from key car parks in Moree by 20 %

Commencing in September 2012

Yes

Grants

Roll out completed by September 2016

Provide victims of stealing or break and enter incidents (and residents nearby) with discounted security kits when following crimes up

By 2016, reduce repeat stealing or break and enter crimes by 10 % in based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

Commencing

by March 2012

Yes

Grants

Offer kits for three years and then reassess

Wallpaper shops that have been vacant for more than two months

By 2016, reduce break and enters in shops by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

Commencing

by March 2012

Incorporated into existing budgets

CoCs

Vacant shops wallpapered

Investigate feasibility of providing appropriate means (eg security guards) to reduce anti-social behaviour at 24 hr petrol stations

By 2016, reduce repeat stealing by 10 % in based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

Commence

by September 2012

Incorporated into existing budgets

Owners

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Table 4.

Make it harder for people to be opportunistic targets

Target Offence: Project:

Stealing and break and enter Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – crime prevention awareness

Rationale:

Feedback during community consultation identified that it was not uncommon for members of the community to leave valuables in highly visible locations or leave doors unlocked, naively expecting they would not be targeted. Reminding people of implementing a few simple ideas can reduce the appeal of committing crime

Lead Agency and Partners:

Barwon LAC with the Crime Prevention Committees and their member groups (see Section 5 for further detail on these)

Expected Outcome:

Reducing the frequency of stealing (in each category) and break and entering into houses, shops and other buildings is expected to result in increased pride and respect as well as an improved image visitors have of our Shire

Actions

Performance Measure

Timeframes

Pilot neighbourhood watch programs in Moree business precinct and Boggabilla

To meet every two months

To commence by September 2012

If successful, launch neighbourhood watch programs in the precincts of Moree

To meet every two months

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Milestone Creation of programs

Yes (for signage)

To commence by March 2015, if feasible

Moree Plains Shire Crime Prevention Plan - Building a Family Friendly Shire, Together

Funded By

Grants Continuation of programs

16

Use awareness campaigns, targeting emerging or concerning crimes, coordinated through the crime prevention committee and its associated stakeholders Awareness campaigns will dispense information through different media and in highly frequented locations Hold regular crime prevention barbeques throughout the community

Table 5.

By 2016, reduce preventable crime by 20 %

Each town and village to have a minimum of one barbeque per year

To commence by December 2011

To be incorporated into existing budgets

Police Force, MPSC, CoCs, IAs

To commence by September 2012

To be incorporated into existing budgets

Police Force, MPSC, CoCs, IAs

Leaflets to be dispensed through media and at surgeries, pubs, sports clubs and fast food outlets, motels etc To be held throughout the Shire

Change external perceptions of our Shire‟s appeal

Target Offence: Project: Rationale: Lead Agency and Partners:

Stealing and break and enter Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – Moree Plains’ image (external) The community believes that the Shire struggles with perceptions that it is unsafe and unappealing. Proactive efforts are required to change these perceptions.

Council with partnering from Moree Tourism and Moree Place Team member organisations.

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Expected Outcome: Actions

Reducing the frequency of stealing and break and entering into houses, shops and other buildings is expected to result in an improved image visitors have of our Shire Performance Measure

Promote positive media coverage and advertisements of Moree Plains outside of the Shire – position Moree Plains as a vibrant, dynamic and attractive community Promote Moree Plains to metropolitan and regional cities as a Shire attractive to visit, to live and to invest in Table 6.

Increased visitation and investment

Timeframes

Funding Req‟d

Funded By

Milestone

Commence marketing campaign by July 2013

To be incorporated into existing budgets

MPSC

Marketing campaign commenced

Investment prospectus developed & maintained

Improve crisis management

Target Offence: Project: Rationale: Lead Agency and Partners:

Domestic violence Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – safe homes Continued efforts and resources need to be made available to support the victims of domestic violence Moree Place Team member organisations

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Expected Outcome: Actions

Supporting those who suffer from domestic violence is expected to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong Performance Measure

Expand the provision of crisis housing for victims Expand the provision of crisis management services for victims Table 7.

Reduction in the number of victims who experience repeated violence

Timeframes

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Funded By

Milestone

September 2016

Yes

Grants

Increased availability by 2016

September 2014

Integrated into existing budgets

IAs

Increased availability by 2016

Create innovative means to break the cycle

Target Offence: Project: Rationale: Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

Domestic violence Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – targeted counselling While there are a range of diverse local services available associated with domestic violence, there is limited counseling available to offenders and potential offenders, in particular.

Moree Place Team member organisations Implementing counseling services that prevent people from commencing or repeating such assaults is expected to result in a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong and increased pride and respect.

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Actions

Timeframes

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Funded By

Milestone

Develop counselling programs for offenders and those at risk of offending

March 2014

Yes

Gov’t

Programs implemented

Continue counselling programs for victims

Ongoing

N/A

IAs

Continued program implementation

Introduce counselling programs as options in presentencing reports Alert relevant agencies when police lodge a child-at-risk report when taking out Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) Explore the feasibility of purchasing a premise in an isolated Shire location that can be used for domestic violence counselling

Performance Measure

By 2016, reduce domestic violence by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

Incorporate options into reports

March 2012

N/A

IAs

September 2012

No

Barwon LAC

Commence use of alerts

Complete feasibility study by March 2015

Yes

Grants

If successful, premise to be purchased or leased by September 2016

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Table 8.

Help our younger people to break the intergenerational cycle

Target Offence: Project: Rationale: Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

Actions

Domestic violence Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – breaking the cycle Prevention and early intervention Moree Place Team member organisations Delivering on this project, reducing the potential for domestic violence in the long-term, is expected to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong and there is increased pride and respect Performance Measure

Expand the Tackling Violence Program in our sports clubs through obtaining greater funding Expand the Love Bites program in our schools (for ages 14-18 years) Introduce the Brighter Futures Program (for pregnant women and families with children aged 0 – 8 years at risk)

By 2016, reduce domestic violence by 20 % based on 2011/2012

Timeframes

Funding Req‟d

Funded By

Milestone

September 2012

Yes

Grants

Use of programs expanded in schools

September 2013

Yes

Gov’t

September 2014

Yes

Gov’t

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Program introduced

Table 9.

Increase community pride and reduce anti-social behaviour

Target Offence: Project: Rationale:

Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

Actions

Stealing and break and enter Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – Moree Plains’ image (internal) Raising awareness of how we each contribute to the community in a positive or negative way can be used to: promote acceptance of responsibility for individual behavior; to have due respect for the interests of individuals and the community, as a whole; and to promote necessary support and development to prevent people committing crime.

Barwon LAC with partnering from Attorney General’s Department and Council Reducing the frequency of stealing and break and entering into houses, shops and other buildings is expected to result in increased pride and respect as well as an improved image visitors have of our Shire Performance Measure

Promote the awareness and benefits of Circle Sentencing Provide opportunities for members of the community to be trained as Convenors for Youth Conferencing

By 2016, reduce initial and repeat appearances before the court by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates

Timeframes

Funding Req‟d

Funded By

Milestone

Ongoing

Integrated into existing budgets

IAs

Information distributed

March 2013

Yes

Grants

Convenor numbers established and maintained

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Continue the presence of police on foot patrol and safety audits of car parks

Ongoing

Integrated into existing budgets

Barwon LAC

Promote drug and alcohol counselling and rehabilitation services at public places

Ongoing

Integrated into existing budgets

IAs

Information distributed

Develop a Suspension Centre, which students must attend when they have been suspended

September 2015

Yes

Grants

Centre open for suspended student intake

September 2014

Yes

Gov’t

Mentoring program established

September 2013

Yes

MPSC and Grants

Develop a culturally appropriate mentoring or leadership program for older youths such as an expanded version of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards that targets troubled youth Reinstigate beautification works including improving the appearance of the area around the railway station and introducing the development of pilot community gardens in Mungindi and Moree South

By 2016, reduce initial and repeat appearances before the court by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates By 2016, reduce stealing or break and enters in relevant area by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

Moree Plains Shire Crime Prevention Plan - Building a Family Friendly Shire, Together

Community gardens built and maintained

23

If successful, develop community gardens in Boggabilla and other precincts within Moree Regularly mow parks and entrances into towns and villages and remove rubbish Table 10.

September 2015

Yes

MPSC and Grants

Ongoing

Integrated into existing budgets

MPSC

Entrances kept clean

Show that all are valued

Target Offence: Project: Rationale:

Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

All types of crime Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – Moree Plains’ image (internal) This Plan cannot rely solely on a tough approach to crime prevention as it runs the risk of resulting in younger people feeling disconnected from the rest of the community.

Accordingly, our younger people must also be supported.

Council, with partnering from Moree Place Team member organisations and Barwon Division of General Practice Delivering on this project is expected to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong and there is increased pride and respect

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Actions

Performance Measure

Work with members of the local community to research, write and distribute articles celebrating cultural differences in Moree Plains community

By 2016, reduce initial and repeat appearances before the court by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates

In partnership with the Youth Council, research, write and distribute articles about the achievements of young people in our community Increase awareness of mental health services available, locally

Table 11.

By 2016, reduce initial and repeat appearances before the court by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates

Timeframes

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Funded By

Milestone

Ongoing

Integrated into existing budgets

MPSC

One article published per month

MPSC

One article published per month

IAs

Articles and leaflets distributed

Integrated into existing budgets

Ongoing

Provide diverse sports, recreation, activities, entertainment and events

Target Offence: Project: Rationale: Lead Agency and Partners:

Stealing and break and enter Building a Family Friendly Community, Together – alive!

Providing younger people, in particular, with mental and physical stimulation will reduce the boredom that the community has identified contributes to the occurrence of crime Council with partnering from PCYC and NSW Police Force

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Expected Outcome:

Actions

Reducing the frequency of stealing and break and entering into houses, shops and other buildings is expected to result in increased pride and respect as well as an improved image visitors have of our Shire Performance Measure

Timeframes

Improve PCYC facilities with introduction of a social worker, games room, and community bus to ensure good access

March 2014

Provide subsidised activities at PCYC catering for activities outside of school hours, weekends and holidays

March 2013 and ongoing

Provide subsidised sports and cultural activities to allow greater access Provide a youth cafe in Moree Provide out of school hours care Provide enhanced access (and information) to Goondiwindi’s PCYC for Boggabilla Residents

By 2016, reduce initial and repeat appearances before the court by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates By 2016, reduce stealing or break and enters in relevant area by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates.

Funding Req‟d

Funded By

Milestone More activities and greater access

Yes

Govt’t & Grants

Yes

Govt’t & Grants

More children receiving care

Yes

Gov’t

More frequent transport services

March 2014 and ongoing

More activities at cheaper prices

March 2015 September 2013 September 2012 and ongoing

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Reopen and maintain the bike

velodrome within Moree Provide movie nights and discos at Mungindi and Boggabilla Table 12.

By 2016, reduce initial and repeat appearances before the court by 20 % based on 2011/2012 financial year rates

September 2013

Integrated into existing budget

MPSC

Velodrome reopened for activities

Ongoing

No

-

More activities

Ensure accountability and transparency are maintained

Target Offence: Project: Rationale: Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

All Building a family friendly community, together - governance See Section 5 for further detail Moree Crime Prevention Committee Delivering on this project is expected to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong, increased pride and respect as well as an improved image visitors have of our Shire

Actions

Performance Measure

Crime Prevention Committees to be created and sustained (see Section 5), monitoring progress against this Plan

Meet every 3 months

Timeframes

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Funded By

Milestone

Ongoing

Nil

N/A

Committees created

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Crime prevention to be a set agenda item for key stakeholders Table 13.

Crime prevention discussed at meetings every quarter at minimum

Ongoing

Integrated into existing budgets

MPSC, IAs, CoCs

Meetings held with crime on agenda

Government, business and the community truly coordinated in their efforts to prevent crime

Target Offence: Project: Rationale:

Lead Agency and Partners: Expected Outcome:

All crimes Developing common programs and services related to crime-prevention With the community having limited resources with which to reduce crime and its underlying root causes, government and non-government agencies must continuously improve their coordination of resources, increasing productivity and efficiency.

Moree Place Team with partnering from the Youth Team, Aboriginal, and Mental Health Interagencies Delivering on this project is expected to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community where all people belong, increased pride and respect as well as an improved image visitors have of our Shire

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Actions Map existing services provided to identify duplication and diversification Agree on core services to be provided by interagencies Implement coordinated services

Performance Measure

Timeframes

Funding Reqâ€&#x;d

Funded By

March 2012 Reduced duplication in crime prevention-related programs

June 2012

Services mapped Integrated into existing budgets

Commence in June 2013

Moree Plains Shire Crime Prevention Plan - Building a Family Friendly Shire, Together

Milestone

IAs

Agreement on core services Core services implemented

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5. Monitoring and Evaluation  Too many organisations or communities do not focus on plans once they have been developed  Significant focus must be retained by key community stakeholders on delivering this Plan Existing documents relevant to this Plan make some points that are of significant relevance to the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of this document; namely: “For this Plan to be effective, it is vital, in order to validate it, that the issue of Corporate Governance is addressed; as a mechanism must be in place ensuring the Action Plan and the responsible agency for an action is assured.”2 “There is a need for community support in doing the groundwork in researching alternatives and coordinating all activities in this area. Our Local, State and Federal politicians, high profile community leaders, organisations and industry need to support the strategies set out above in all communication opportunities and encourage others.”3 To be successful, the Plan requires a whole-of-community approach and it requires continual focus. If this does not occur, the Plan runs the risk of amounting to little. Can Moree Plains afford for this to occur?

Rather, we need leadership, sustained commitment and coordination.

To facilitate delivery of this Plan over its five year life, it is proposed that the following leadership structure be put in place:  Creation of a Community Crime Prevention Committee for Moree, consisting of Councillors, and senior members of Moree Chamber of Commerce, Moree Place Team, Barwon LAC and the community. This Committee is to oversee progress, monitoring and evaluating progress of the Plan. The Committee must also be the driving force in liaising with its relevant member organisations, ensuring that a coordinated effort takes place as this is not currently the case;  Creation of a Community Crime Prevention Committee for Boggabilla, consisting of Moree Plains Shire and Goodiwindi Regional Councillors, and senior members of Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce, New South Wales and Queensland State 2 3

Moree Plains Shire Council, 2005, Crime Prevention Plan.

Moree Community, 2003, Moree 2020.

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





Agencies (including the police) and the community. This Committee is to have a similar scope of works to that described for Moree; Creation of a Community Crime Prevention Committee for Mungindi, consisting of Moree Plains Shire Councillors and staff, the community and representatives from local schools, the progress association, the police, and the business houses association. This Committee is to have a similar scope of works to that described for Moree; Crime prevention to be a key focus of Council, the Chambers of Commerce and the main interagencies. To retain that focus on crime prevention, each of the above organisations or groups is to have crime prevention as a set agenda item at meetings on a quarterly basis, at the minimum; and Identification of somebody within Council who will have crime prevention as a key component of their responsibilities. Whilst there will be an expectation for Council to be the sole deliverer of this Plan, that is not that case. It requires a whole-of community approach.

Subsequently, the Council Officer will play more of an advisory and coordinator role, providing guidance to the Prevention Committees on how crime prevention initiatives are progressing, where obstacles to Plan delivery are occurring and making recommendations on how to manage associated impacts and opportunities. Importantly, the Officer will ensure that initiatives are aligned with this Plan before any further initiatives are developed.

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Appendix 1. Crime Statistics Table 3.

The Number of Incidents Recorded for Different Crime Types for the Larger Towns. (Data courtesy of Barwon LAC) Moree

Boggabilla

Mungindi

„09/‟10

„10/‟11

„09/‟10

„10/‟11

„09/‟10

„10/‟11

Assault – alcohol & nondomestic violence

81

91

23

28

9

7

Assault –domestic violence

139

140

28

34

4

9

Assault (non-domestic violence)

175

164

35

39

10

12

Break & enter – dwelling

261

307

31

25

21

7

Break & enter – non dwelling

135

149

38

35

16

1

Malicious damage to property

436

389

66

54

8

8

Steal – from dwelling

39

38

9

6

2

0

128

248

23

12

19

3

Steal – from retail store

93

75

0

1

0

2

Stolen vehicle

61

81

24

33

7

1

1,548

1,682

277

267

96

50

Steal – from vehicles

Total

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Table 4.

Comparison of Moree Plains Local Government Area‟s (LGA) Crime Rate with Adjacent LGAs in 2010. * Note that the LGA rank is calculated on the rate of crimes occurring per 100,000 population Moree Plains

Gwydir

Walgett

Narrabri

No. of incidence

LGA Rank*

No. of incidence

LGA Rank*

No. of incidence

LGA Rank*

No. of incidence

LGA Rank*

Assault – domestic violence

179

3

9

123

212

2

70

34

Assault – non domestic violence

203

3

15

120

136

2

96

40

Sexual assault

29

3

5

66

10

11

15

44

Break & enter – dwelling

313

2

9

138

131

5

98

35

Break & enter – non dwelling

186

2

10

97

82

6

51

44

Motor vehicle theft

86

2

5

120

26

26

32

62

Steal – motor vehicle

171

9

10

128

80

11

83

56

Steal – retail store

71

8

5

120

19

39

26

72

Steal – from dwelling

94

8

25

38

62

3

66

34

Steal – from person

13

27

-

-

6

35

1

120

Malicious damage to property

421

5

30

137

228

4

231

42

Robbery without a weapon

14

13

0

-

-

-

2

100

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Appendix 2. Glossary Acronym Barwon LAC BOCSAR CoCs IAs MPSC

Organisation in Full Barwon Local Area Command Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research Chambers of Commerce (ie Goondiwindi and Moree) Interagencies Moree Plains Shire Council

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