ALGA welcomes Prime Minister's new Community Crime Prevention Program
7 May 2004
A new $20m National Community Crime Prevention Program announced today by Prime Minister John Howard, has been welcomed by the Australian Local Government Association.
ALGA President, Councillor Mike Montgomery, said that councils would be eligible to apply for grants of up to $500,000 to support innovative collaborative community safety and crime prevention demonstration projects in high-need areas.
"Local government is increasingly involved in issues of public safety, often in partnership with community groups, the police and government agencies," Cr Montgomery said.
"The new program builds on the substantial work that is already taking place in our communities and will help build capacity to pursue locally organised crime prevention initiatives.
"It will also build on previous work that has taken place between the Australian Government and local government under the National Crime Prevention Program launched in 1997.
"There is, for example, a wealth of material and research now available on the Australian Institute of Criminology website detailing local government initiatives and experiences in a broad range of crime prevention activities, from graffiti and vandalism to issues of public safety and public disorder.
"We know crime costs the nation some $32 billion a year. In NSW, graffiti alone is estimated to cost the community around $100m a year.
"We are pleased that the local grants program aims to provide practical and flexible support for local projects that will increase the development of community partnerships, increase awareness and support for crime prevention and increase the capacity of communities to deal with crime," Cr Montgomery said.
- Contacts
- Cr Mike Montgomery, ALGA President: 0427 542 051
- Rohan Greenland, Director Public Affairs: 02 6122 9434 or 0412 85 9434
