Community safety is everyone’s responsibility and that is the message embraced today by the Papunya Community, as it launched a new Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Remote Communities program.
This Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Remote Communities Program has been developed specifically for Remote Communities by Neighbourhood Watch Australasia (NHWA) in partnership with Northern Territory Police. The NHW program promotes a community and police partnership; working together to identify and problem solve their issues of concern. It is anticipated that this approach will allow community intervention at times for localised issues, negating need for police intervention as a first response.
The program empowers the community to identify and communicate acceptable behaviours and values for their neighbourhood. The program helps police and community recognize the communities values and work towards maintaining them.
Funding support for this initiative has come from the Federal Government through Neighbourhood Watch Australasia. This NHW Remote Communities program will support the Northern Territory Polices’ Community Safety Plan initiative.
As part of the initial implementation of the program NHWA has provided the Papunya Community with signage and educational resources to help promote the ideals of community safety.
The program has been embraced by Papunya Community Elders who are keen to form a NHW community committee to work beside local police.
Today’s official launch was coordinated by Papunya OIC Sergeant Mather and officiated by Assistant Commissioner Jamie Chalker. Representatives of agencies within Papunya and local community members as well as NHWA CEO Ingrid Stonhill, Executive Member Senior Sergeant Michael Hebb and Southern Command Superintendent Don Fry attended the unveiling of the Community Program signage.
NHWA Executive Member Michael Hebb commented “NHWA and NT Police look forward to working in partnership with Papunya community to support community safety initiatives and develop strategies to address local issues.”
“We are very excited and have really embraced the opportunity to work here in the Northern Territory”, said NHWA CEO Ingrid Stonhill. “We are very much looking forward to identifying future opportunities in more communities across the Territory”.
