Making Melbourne Safe: Heavy Police Patroling
Jun 10th, 2009 | Comments
Following a public/media outcry over the growing attacks on Indian students, and a personal intervention by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the Victoria state premier John Brumby announced a “high-visibility police operation”.
(Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, was in a recent poll declared as the “third best liveable city in the world”. And, surely, it has a reputation to protect. See my earlier post here…)
The Victorian premier said that “the high-visibility police operation will be based on the successful Safe Streets Task Force model which has seen police flood the streets of Melbourne to tackle alcohol related violence.”
Brumby added: “The overall rate of crime in Victoria is the lowest in Australia. A small number of recent attacks on some members of our community, including international students from India, are deplorable and condemned by the Victorian community.”
New initiatives announced today by the Police Chief Commissioner, Simon Overland, include additional patrols by uniform police, transit members, the dog squad, mounted branch and air-wing, as well as traffic operations and booze buses targeting trouble spots in and around Sunshine, St Albans, Thomastown and the Clayton and Dandenong areas.
Brumby said safety on Victoria’s transport network was important for commuters and a priority for the Government. “These new measures will increase safety for all commuters using the rail network, particularly those commuters travelling alone or at night,” Brumby added.
The Government’s crackdown on violence also includes law reforms that will require judges to take into account hatred for or prejudice against a particular group as an aggravating factor when sentencing.
The Victorian Government has also announced a Harmony Walk on July 12 “to reaffirm to the world Victoria’s strong support for multiculturalism.
“The Harmony Walk will bring together Victorian communities to recognise and celebrate the contribution of ethnic, cultural and religious communities to the state,” Mr Brumby said.
“Victoria is a safe and peaceful place for international visitors and students, and we want every person who comes to Victoria to have a safe and peaceful experience.” he added.
Victoria’s Police Minister Bob Cameron said that “the Victorian Government and Victoria Police were committed to protecting our communities. Today’s announcement – on top of the 350 extra police being delivered this term – will go a long way to ensuring Victoria remains the safest state in Australia.”
Indian student spokesman Gautam Gupta said he was happy the problem was being addressed but called for broader action. “Any steps taken to make the streets safer are welcome,” he said. More here…
It remains to be seen what confidence building measures the New South Wales state (with Sydney as its capital) takes to assure the large Indian student community which is quite nervous at the moment.
India has urged the Indian student community to exercise restraint. See here…
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd had assured tough laws against hate crimes. See here…
Recently, Australia appointed a top diplomat of Indian-origin, Peter Varghese, as its High Commissioner to India…See here…
