The City of Casey is one of six priority shires to received $700,000 to go towards crime prevention projects.
The funding comes from the Empowering Communities grant program, aimed at helping local governments implement projects that build local capability to effectively keep vulnerable people away from crime, encourage local community partnerships and strengthen relationships to deliver crime prevention activities.
The State Government has also called on not-for-profit groups and other specialist organisations to submit locally driven projects for the next round of Building Safer Communities Program grants, with up to $300,000 of funding available to make local communities safer through two streams.
The Creating Safer Places grants provide funding for councils for urban design projects which aim to prevent crime by creating inclusive environments and safer public places.
Previous projects from this fund include CCTV, lighting and streetscape upgrades at Hemmings Street in Dandenong and a security upgrade of activity precincts in Mordialloc, Chelsea and Carrum.
The Crime Prevention Innovation Fund provides supports councils and not-for-profit organisations to develop innovative community safety and crime prevention initiatives.
Previous projects include an Aboriginal mentoring program in Mildura for young people who have been in contact with the justice system, a program to improve women’s safety in the CBD and a mentoring program for South Sudanese youth in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne.
Applications are currently open and close at 4.00pm on Friday 11 February 2022.
Minister for Crime Prevention Natalie Hutchins said Building Safer Communities grants will invest in projects tailored for those who need a bit of extra support to stay on the right path
“We’re taking action and providing necessary localised support to tackle the causes of crime and keep at-risk people away from offending,” she said.
