BSCAT winds up after 13 years of promoting community safety

The Burdekin Building Safer Community Action Teams (BSCAT) has held its final meeting yesterday after nearly 13 years of crime prevention initiatives.

The committee was formed in 2006 in response to the Beattie Government’s Building Safer Community Action Teams program, which aimed to develop strong networks between police, local government and community stakeholders.

Under this program, the Burdekin BSCAT committee – which was made up of Councillors, Council staff, Queensland Police Service personnel and community representatives – received an initial grant for $20,000 to use on crime prevention initiatives.

Mayor Lyn McLaughlin praised the ability of the Burdekin BSCAT to make the one-off funding last such a significant amount of time.

“During its lifetime, the Burdekin BSCAT committee has carried out several successful campaigns and projects, including the Crime Prevention Conference, Youth Watch Patrol, Queen Street traders height charts and One Punch Can Kill presentations to local schools.

“The funding also assisted in securing burglar beware signage on buses, lock it or lose it street signs, and CCTV at both Tommy Tie Park and the Graham Street Bus Shelter.

“I would like to thank the BSCAT committee members, past and present, for their valuable contributions to promoting community safety over the years.”