New CoSafe to meet community security needs

In a first for Perth local government-funded security patrols, rigorously selected staff of the City’s new CoSafe model have completed a unique nationally- accredited training program to ensure the community receives a solutions-focused, customer-first service.

“The City understands there is no other similar service with the same level of training in the Perth metropolitan area,” City of Cockburn Rangers and Community Safety Manager Mike Emery said.

“The City now directly employs four Co-Safe team leaders plus up to six additional patrol officers through respected Perth-based recruitment firm Site Protective Services.

“All have completed fitness, driving, cultural-awareness, psychometric and nationally-accredited testing and security training, to enhance their expanded roles.

“Our team members have vital career expertise backed up by local knowledge, with most living in Cockburn or nearby, and a superior experience and understanding of the Cockburn community.

“They will utilise the City’s extensive CCTV network to address anti-social behaviour and assist WA Police before, during and after incidents where needed.”

Mr Emery said CoSafe’s employment and staffing restructure would result in savings of $200,000-$400,000 annually, resulting from a thorough review of various security patrol models from the university, private, local government and commercial sectors.

“While the service is not a police replacement and will not be able to help in every situation, it will continue its working relationship with WA Police to help Cockburn’s residential and business community access appropriate security and safety assistance,” Mr Emery said.

“According to a recent survey, community safety is the most significant concern for residents within Cockburn, with many referring to anti-social behaviour contributing to this escalating concern.

“Community security is one of the five key objectives within the City’s Strategic Community Plan, and CoSafe plays a big part in the City’s response to this.

“The team will be able to enact the City’s Local Laws including the Bushfires Act, the Dog Act and issues around illegally parked cars, and moving disorderly people from City-controlled reserves.

“So that means if a vehicle is parked in a dangerous location or someone has illegally lit a bonfire, our team has the power to make those areas safe and issue infringements if necessary.

“The City’s CCTV network has about 800 cameras and the team will have access to these via in-car technology.

“They will have greater operational awareness of unfolding incidents, accessing remote, live camera vision which is especially useful when alarms are triggered at City-owned community centres and facilities equipped with CCTV.”

City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said the City’s refreshed CoSafe was a reflection of the substantial changes since the inception of security services in 2004 Cockburn when it co-funded a service with the City of Melville until 2010.

“Our new model reflects a level of maturity and strategic partnering with WA Police and the community that has evolved over that time,” Mayor Howlett said.

“The use of advanced technology by the City and WA Police clearly demonstrates the way forward, and how the safety and security of our community is of the highest priority.”

The former CoSafe model had all cars on the road 24/7, but the new service model will be designed around daily, seasonal and incidental influences including during peak activity times and events.

Savings as a result of the service model’s restructure may be used for other community safety initiatives in the future.