Ballarat residents are invited to take part in Community Safety Month this October.
The Ballarat Community Safety Alliance brings together more than 20 local organisations, community groups and government agencies to improve safety and wellbeing across Ballarat.
Throughout October, Alliance members will host community events and information sessions, providing practical safety advice and opportunities to connect with local services.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves attended the launch of Community Safety Month, acknowledging the strong partnerships helping to make Ballarat a safer and more connected community.
"We are proud of the strong partnerships that have been built through the Ballarat Community Safety Alliance and the shared commitment of our members to creating a safer Ballarat," she said.
"The Alliance's work is shaped by input from our community, including insights gathered through the Safer Ballarat Mapping Tool. By listening to residents and working together with our Alliance partners, we can better understand local concerns and identify opportunities to improve community safety."
The Safer Ballarat Mapping Tool enables community members to identify locations where they feel safe or unsafe across Ballarat. Community members can share their experiences through the MySay portal, with insights reported back to the Ballarat Community Safety Alliance to help inform targeted safety initiatives, partner responses and police operations.
Acting Inspector Brad Hall encouraged community members to attend the upcoming Community Safety Month events.
"The Neighbourhood Policing Forum and Coffee with a Cop events provide an excellent opportunity for residents, business owners and community stakeholders to speak directly with police, raise local concerns and learn more about the work being undertaken to keep our community safe," he said.
"These events help strengthen connections between local police and the community, while supporting the collaboration and information sharing needed to identify and address emerging issues across our neighbourhoods."
"Our ongoing partnership with the Ballarat Community Safety Alliance is central to this work. By working together, we can develop effective and sustainable solutions to community safety concerns and help create a safer Ballarat for everyone."
Ballarat PSA Neighbourhood Policing Forum
Thursday 15 October, 6pm to 8pm
Vickers Street Community Hub, 254 Vickers Street Sebastopol
The forum will be run by a Victoria Police panel, and questions will be taken from the audience throughout the event. 5.45pm arrival for a 6pm start. The forum will explore a range of topics including current crime trends and crime prevention, family violence, young people, drugs and drug-related crime, road policing.
Reserve a free ticket at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ballarat-psa-neighbourhood-policing-forum-tickets-1998519373244
DV Safe Phone Donation Drive
For domestic violence (DV) victims, access to a safe phone can mean the difference between life and death. Perpetrators often use phones to control and monitor their victims, leaving them isolated and without a secure way to keep in contact with friends and family or seek help. DV Safe Phone gives your old phone a new purpose by helping DV victims stay connected, stay safe, and move forward towards a brighter future. This October, donate your old phone. These 'safe phones' are a vital link to emergency services, support networks, and loved ones.
City of Ballarat donation locations include Ballarat Library, Sebastopol Library, Wendouree Library, Djila-tjarriu Community Hub, Lucas Community Hub, The Phoenix - City of Ballarat Customer Service, Parent Place Ballarat.
Learn more about the initiative at https://dvsafephone.org/
Scams Workshop
Monday 5 October, 9:30am at Djila-tjarriu Community Hub, 18 Donegal Dr, Alfredton
Tuesday 13 October, 1pm at Lucas Community Hub, 17 Coltman Plaza, Lucas
Part of Ballarat Seniors Festival, this practical session delivered by Cafs Victoria will help seniors identify common scams, stay safe online and learn what to do if they are targeted.
