Parents at Richmond West Primary School slam plan for community safety officers at troublesome area

Parents say the state government’s $100k plan to improve safety for schoolkids around the Richmond injecting room is a “Band-Aid fix”.

The state government has employed three officers to welcome parents and kids at the gates of Richmond West Primary School. Picture: Jason Edwards

The state government will splash more than $100,000 on community safety officers to greet families outside a primary school near Richmond’s controversial injecting room.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Department of Education has employed three officers to welcome parents and kids at the gates of Richmond West Primary School during pick-up and drop-off from Term 3.

It’s understood the trio from the Brotherhood of St Laurence will not have security powers, but will support families in nearby towers.

In April, the Herald Sun ­revealed the school had beefed up its security after children witnessed a spate of shocking incidents including a man being found dead nearby, forcing school authorities to direct pupils and parents away from a main entrance.

It was also revealed the school had gone into a safety-imposed lockdown twice in less than a week.

Vox Pop with parents on the planned injection room in Lennox street Richmond next to Richmond West Primary School. . Picture: Nicole Garmston

The security upgrades ­include an electronic lock and video intercom system for the school’s inner pedestrian gate and electronic security on its front reception doors.

Neil Mallet, a father of two of the school’s pupils, aged 11 and 12, said employing community safety officers was a “Band-Aid fix”.

“There are 3m-high black metal fences with spikes on them, security cameras and now these safety officers – these weren’t there 2½ years ago, there was no need for them,” he said. “It’s nonsense that in a country like Australia we have to cage our children to educate them.”

But another parent, whose son is in grade 2, said she welcomed the hirings.

“There haven’t been many incidents in recent months, things have appeared to settle down. The school is clearly ­listening to feedback from parents,” she said.

Young children in the area are often exposed to drug use. . Picture: Sarah Matray

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said: “Labor’s injecting room model simply doesn’t work, with more heroin-related deaths, more ambulance callouts for overdoses, and now Victoria’s only school that requires ­security guards to keep their young students safe.

“It’s time for Labor to concede that their injecting room model is heavily flawed, to the point where the safety of kids is being put at risk.”

A Department of Education spokesman said the school was partnering with the Brotherhood of St Laurence on a community support and liaison worker program.

“Beginning in Term 3, the program will involve three workers welcoming families at drop-off and pick-up times each day, to further support the entire school community,” he said.

“The department continues to work in consultation with representatives of the school community to ensure appropriate measures are in place to ensure the health and safety of its students.”

Originally published as Parents at Richmond West Primary School slam plan for community safety officers at troublesome area