News
Combating Crime - A Community Partnership Approach
Date: 17th September 2007
It seems you can't even open a newspaper or watch the news without hearing about some sort of crime or act of violence in and around the city - a shooting in the CBD, a brawl out the front of a hotel, a hold-up in a small business, a bashing in the street, a stabbing at teenagers party.
And when I chat to people around our electorate it is crime, violence and anti-social behaviour in our community that constantly rates as one of their biggest concerns. At a social level and in our community, traders, residents, commuters and police have spoken to me about the problem they have with crime and the anti-social behaviour in and around our central business districts and train stations.
Instead of these areas being places where we can shop, meet friends or get to work safely, they've become places where troublemakers congregate, drug trades occur, property is damaged and those just wanting to go about our daily business feel threatened and intimidated. Fed up traders have tried many things in recent years to deter this - hiring security guards, cleaning up graffiti and vandalism, even playing classical music. Police too, have tried their best with limited resources to do their best too keep the streets safe. But it was ultimately a plan to use on hand Security Guards and high resolution security cameras with live feeds direct to the local security company and/or police station that was seen as one of the most effective ways to combat this type of crime.
So far, four townships have been successful in obtaining grants to install high resolution security cameras with direct feeds straight through to a local security company. Since having this type of security our residents and traders have been alot safer and there has been less crime. I have found that if 1 trader can afford a security guard then join with a couple of others and in doing this you can have a constant guard with added security cameras for instant identification and deterrence.
Tony Smith MP Federal member of Carvey
School Kids In The Security Guards' Eyes
Date: 20th September 2008
Police brutality is something you almost here abour from people who have been to Schoolies Week. It makes sense kids lose their rights through an over-indulgence in alcohol and the police hored by the number of drunken incidents arrive to remind them that they are not invicible, possibly by acquainting them with a baton. Flying into the Gold Coast, I was expecting to see that it had reverted to a Bjelke-Peterson-ora police state. But it was the opposite that was true.
Police presence, while a factor had been completely unobtrusive. There are police patrolling in large numbers but I have not felt anything imposing about their company. It seems that their main function is the distribution of $75 fines for drinking in public places. Beyond that they slip into the crowd in fact it is only in the face of hotel security that your rights seem to be forgotten.
Last night, after an ill-advised toga party, the fire alarm in our building was sounded. No one made any sort of response as high school fire drills have made us apathetic to sirens. But the alarm did summon the draconian powers of hotel security. With the person who raised the alarm being described by someone as "a blonde girl" the foyer quickly became a holding cell for "blonde girls" detained until the guilty party could be identified. After about an hour they were released without charge.
Somehow, it doesn't seem like the way in which you could treat most guests. The same could be said of the evening room checks, in which security combs each appartment, filling milk crates with contraband. The security guards are largely friendly, but it doesn't change the fact that schoolies are practically powerless when confronted by their demands. These is no where else to go if the hotel decides to evict you, so there is no option outside compliance. We no longer have our parents to defend our provacy, sbut security measures make us feel like we are still a long way from adulthood.
Erik Jensen
Response By Louisa
If other hotel guests acted like the irresponsible youth of schoolies week do, security would be just as wary, people would still complain and they would get the same treatment. Welcome to the real world where you protect and are responsible for you and sometimes the behavious of your young drunk friends. And face it, schoolies are under 18, they are a long way from adulthood.
Security Boost for Sydney Taxis
Date: 20th February 2008
All new taxis will be fitted with cameras and security guards will patrol cab ranks under new measures introduced by the State Government following the bashing death of a driver.
Transport Minister John Watkins today announced the creation of 22 secure ranks in metropolitan regional and rural areas. The ranks will be patrolled by two security guards on Friday and Saturday nights, public holidays and during late night shopping.
Mr Watkins said summer trials of this proposal had proven successful and the Government was committed to a further six months of testing. They've proven to reduce anti-social behaviour and promote greater respect for their customers, cab drivers and surrounding property. Mr Watkins said "We'll work with local councils, NSW Police... taxi companies and the Tax Council to identify the areas where secure ranks are needed."
The Government was also discussing with NSW Taxi Council a propsal to fit out all cabs with security cameras. Mr Watkins said at present taxi operrators have the option of arming their cabs with either a camera or shield. The NSW Taxi Council chief executive Howard Harrison welcomed both proposals "Secure ranks will help protect our drivers and ensure safe travel for passengers late at night." Mr Harrison said in a statement. The Transport Workers Union assistant secretary Wayne Forno said cab driver provided an invaluable service "Its important they get the respect they deserve" he said. Taxi Drivers and their families have the right to expect their safety to be a top priority Mr Watkins said he would also review penalties for fare evasion.
Earlier this month, taxi driver Youbert Horanozi was bashed to death while driving his cab. Two 14 year old girls were charged with his murder.
Armed Pair Rob Security Guards
Date: 7th November 2007
Two security guards were robbed of their firearms and some money at a shopping centre in Sydney's inner west this morning. The guards from security company Chubb were filling an automatic teller machine at the Marrickville Metro shopping centre about 10am when confronted by two men armed with firearms. "The guards were threatened before having their firearms taken from them." a police spokesman said. "The two offenders have left with a sum of cash in a stolen Holden Crewman".
There was no further description of the offenders available at this stage, she said The guards both male, were uninjured and had been offered counselling said a Chubb spokesman. Local detectives and those from the strike force were making enquiries at the shopping centre, the police spokeswoman said.
Security Guards To Register or Lose Jobs
Date: 14th December 2007
About 13,000 Sydney security guards must register under new industry laws by 3pm (AET) on Friday to be eligible to work. Police have issued a warning that guards who fail to comply with the new legislation risk fines and having their license suspended from next week.
Legislation introduced in September to raise standards in the industry gave a three months deadline for guards to reapply under the revised classifications. That deadline was extended by a further fornight to finalise the processing of late applications. More than 32,000 people have complied with the new laws but some 12,000 have failed to advise the NSW Security Industry Registry of their licensing intentions. police said "We're urging anyone who is actively employed in the industry and has not yet complied with the new laws to contact us quickly so they can continue working." Security Industry Acting Registrar Cameron Smith said in a statement.
Individuals who continue working without an updated license, face fines of up too $5,500, while employers using a guard without a valid license can be fined up to $55,000 or face two years jail.
Security Guards For Pies
Date: 9th June 2007
Collingwood has started employing security guards to protect its players after the recent surge of interest in their nighttime antics.
The Eagles revealed on Sunday they had begun assigning security guards to players at nightclubs and club functions to protect players with appropriate protection. Collingwood youngster John Anthony was involved in an argument with Hawthron star Lance Franklin last weekend that later saw two females complain about Franklin's behaviour.
Anthony contacted the club the following morning and while he spoke to president Eddie McGuire and the clubs administration he was cleared of any wrongdoing. Like many clubs the pies have had their fair share of players involved in late night controversy, most notably Alan Didak. Pert said yesterday the issue of player protection and the respossibility of listed players was a vexing topic for all clubs.
"There has been times where we have had security involved when we get towards the end of the season and the players are wanting to go and have a bit of a relax, but it's a disappointing fact that we have to get to the point." he said. I think it is something all the clubs will have to think about now. You can't have a whole team of security guards going out with (small groups) of players but there are people at these locations who that if they get into and incident with a footballer, it's most likely to be going in the newspaper and that creates it's own difficult dynamic. Pert said that while the club doesn't provide security support for the players when they're out socialising as a general rule it has provided security to shadow the players while they socialize together as a team for the two or three days immediately following the season.
Mcguire said yesterday, where he told Anthony. "To wait until he was playing regular senior football until he challenged Franklin over his playing ability. I think the players and the club are getting a lot more professional in the way they deal with anything."
Avoid Disputes - Hire Security
Date: 26th November 2008
Nearly every week we here of parties being over-run with univited young drunken guests who revel in their intoxication. Where a small party of 50 or more slowly becomes 300, due to being classed as an "Open Party". It is from here that it does not take long before things get out of hand, mixing adolesence, hormones, testosterone and alcohol, egos and macho activities, before long it becomes an all out brawl with the troublemakers making it difficult for everyone else. But like adolesences and alcohol it becomes a toxic addiction and everyone ends up getting in on the act of fighting, throwing things disrupting the neighbours and causing havoc before the police are called in to try and diffuse the situation.
If the party goers get toegther and pulled their resources and hired a couple of security guards for their party, then maybe the party crashers could have been discouraged before it started. So I feel that in the future if you are having an event that you think could get out of hand, hire a couple of security guards for about 4-5 hours, where you can feel safe and relax and enjoy your real party of friends and family.
