Private security guards to protect council staff amid rising tide of violence on Melbourne streets
Private security guards would protect council staff amid a rising tide of violence on Melbourne CBD streets under a plan by Town Hall.
Victoria
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The presence of increasingly violent beggars and drunks on central Melbourne streets has prompted a council plan to hire private security guards to protect its staff.
The move, to be considered by councillors on Tuesday, comes in response to council workers being injured with 37 attacks recorded in the past two years.
Private security will guard Town Hall employees who are trying to enforce local laws at trouble spots in the CBD.
The proposal does not cover City of Melbourne parking officers who went on a one-week strike in October after a rising number of assaults from the public angry over faulty parking meters. The officers requested to work in pairs for better security.
The latest plan would see the council’s local laws teams continue to work with Victoria Police to manage erratic on-street behaviour usually related to alcohol consumption, drug use and begging.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said everyone deserved to feel safe in the city, including council staff.
“We know that for many residents, local businesses and visitors, safety is the most important consideration.’’ he said.
“This proposal could provide additional resources to support our Local Laws team – ensuring we have the right people in the right places at the right time.’’
The council report said it had a duty of care to protect its employees. It has also approached Victoria Police for two officers to work alongside council staff seven days a week.
“People consuming alcohol in public places and begging on our streets impacts how our community feels and their perceptions of safety,’’ the report said.
“In recent years there have been several targeted operations delivered in partnership with Victoria Police aiming to address these issues. Operation Brightside, the most recent operation, focused on deterring those begging from key areas in the city.”
The security guard pilot would operate in liaison with Launch Housing, cohealth and the Salvation Army.
The council’s safety and cleaning chairman Rafael Camillo said the high rate of occupational violence directed towards to local laws officers was unacceptable.
“Enough is enough,” Mr Camillo said.
During the election campaign Mr Reece vowed, if elected, that he would push to have 30 council workers wearing stab-proof vests patrolling crime hotspots in the CBD, including the southern end of Elizabeth St.
Crime Statistics last year revealed that the total number of offences, including assault, criminal damage and theft, recorded on Elizabeth St alone has jumped by 50 per cent over five years.
Originally published as Private security guards to protect council staff amid rising tide of violence on Melbourne streets
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