Fairfield crime figures plunge as police and citizens take back their streets

IT was once one of Sydney’s crime capitals where people feared the streets. But in a stunning turnaround, Fairfield’s crime has plunged across most categories.

IT was once one of Sydney’s crime capitals where people feared walking in the streets after dark.

But in a stunning turnaround, robberies, violence, break-and-enters and car thefts have plunged in Fairfield, a once-notorious section of Western Sydney, now being hailed as a model for its surrounding suburbs and even across the state.

High visibility policing combined with a new theme of “We are You” were breaking down the “us versus them” attitude, according to Fairfield local area commander Superintendent Peter Lennon, the man credited with leading the transformation.

Fairfield police Supt Peter Lennon chats to residents Eleni Voniatis and Loukas Voniatis about local issues.

It is a new approach that is transforming a local government area, once marred by the heroin problems of one of its suburbs — Cabramatta, which has undergone a concerted drug crackdown since 2002 — and is being rolled out into other crime hot spots.

“What’s happening in Fairfield is outstanding,” Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said.

“It is being replicated across the state. Every local area command is reaching out and breaking down barriers; it is an absolute priority for us.”

The initiative has resulted in a dramatic drop in crime.

Break and enter offences are down 40 per cent year over the same period last year, car theft is down 14 per cent, robberies are down 19 per cent and alcohol-related assault has dropped 26 per cent.

Crime is dropping in Fairfield as these figures show.

Beautician Kathryn Pineiro from Lavo Laser said she now often works back late because her neighbours were great.

“It’s a good community here where everyone looks after each other. I sometimes finish at 9pm and feel safe walking to my car,’’ the young businesswoman said.

With the second highest multicultural population of any local government area in Australia and 130 different nationalities, the area’s local police officers speak up to 50 different languages between them.

“We don’t want an ‘us versus them’ situation out here — it doesn’t work and is a mark of a failing police force,” Supt Lennon, a former homicide detective who has been at Fairfield for three years, said.

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“We recognise that we are obliged to work with and for the community to identify issues and find solutions before laws are broken, or we fail.”

He said that meant that if the police have to constantly enforce laws, fight crime and disorder, then they are not winning.

“That is not to say that we don’t recognise our crimes — but every local area command has them, be it break and enters, steamings, robberies, domestic violence matters.

“I know we will have these, but my aim is to address the underlying issues before the crimes are committed — build up a resilience in the community that will push through the bad times and look to a safer future, always.”

Ordel Hermizi tries on Fairfield police Supt Peter Lennon’s hat during a visit to Fairfield shopping centre.

In schools such as Fairfield High, police have become familiar figures in the corridors where pupils talk to them and principals and officers hold regular forums.

“I have seen nothing like it in my 30-year career. It is fantastic,” Robert Mulas, who has been principal at Fairfield High for seven years, said.

At other high schools where he has taught, police officers were welcomed with a “f ... ing pigs” greeting, he said.

“Here we have kids running out to have conversations with the police.” he said.

“The kids see them more and more often so they put a face to the police as a support system.”

The council is also instilling a new pride in the area through a proactive approach to graffiti by cleaning it up within two days.

Fairfield police Supt Peter Lennon is proud of the progress his command has made in reducing crime.

“Seven years ago it did start to get a bit scary here,” Fairfield Chamber of Commerce president Vince Movizio said.

“Once upon a time you would never get me near my office at night but the streets are a lot safer now. It’s targeted policing and it is working.

“The difference between five years ago and today is awareness in the community.

“Now the police, the council, the chamber of commerce and the community are working together.”

In Fairfield, three officers are targeting domestic violence and there is a new men’s group established, the Men’s Network for Family Safety.

At church services, festivals, Men’s Sheds, soccer games, anywhere the community gets together, the police are there.

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce president and real estate agent Vince Movizio believes in his area.

One initiative they have copied from the New York Police Department is a “Coffee with a Cop” program where officers will be available to sit down with anyone who wants to have a chat about what bothers them over a coffee — and the police will even pay the bill.

“This is a very tight community that cares for each other,” Supt Lennon said.

“Fairfield LGA has the second highest multicultural population of any LGA in Australia — so we fully understand that we have to engage with them, they don’t approach us due to their culture — we have to talk to the people and show our respect to earn their respect.”

There are 12 Neighbourhood Watch groups operating within the Fairfield command of 200,000 people across 23 suburbs.