By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Council’s proposal for a public safety committee is getting closer to reality, with the group likely to be launched in February next year.
The recommendation for the Public Safety Advisory Committee to be started up in early 2016 is included in this week’s agenda, and just needs to be carried by council on Tuesday night.
The idea was raised by Cr Louise Berkelmans last month on the back of the Casey ward crime forums, in which residents from every ward were invited to meetings with councillors, police officers and specialists.
“We need to have professional people on the committee who are involved with prevention, early prevention, people who are caring for victims of crime,” Cr Berkelmans told Star News.
“These kinds of people can be a steering committee to guide the council in what things can be put in place to curb crime in Casey.”
In December 2012, a similar program, the Safer Casey Partnership, was placed in suspension, pending the development and adoption of the Community Safety Strategy.
Ms Berkelmans said a renewed team approach would allow for a “bigger voice”.
“We can make more of a stand; when we come together with other people we have a bigger voice,” she said.
“This is not just a council problem, it’s not just a police problem and it’s not just a community services problem – this is everybody.”
The year’s series of ward forums included several keynote speakers, including Casey Police Inspector Paul Breen, and Youth Support Advocacy Service (YSAS) director Peter Wearne.
