The final two of the four additional Larrakia Nation Day Patrol vehicles hit the streets of Darwin and Palmerston today. The four additional vehicles takes the total to five Day Patrol vehicles.
The four additional vehicles are part of the Territory Labor Governments comprehensive 5-point Anti-Social Behaviour Plan for Darwin and Palmerston which was announced last week.
Staff for the Larrakia Nation Day Patrol will also increase to 10, and operate for more hours and across a bigger area, now including Darwin City, Northern Suburbs and Palmerston. It will now operate extended hours, from 5am to 4pm (when the existing Night Patrol starts).
The service helps relocate people to their home community (through the Territory Connect program) or rehabilitation support such as the Sobering Up Shelter. The Territory Labor Government reintroduced a Day Patrol vehicle in 2017 after the chaotic CLP cut it.
To support the extended Day Patrol, the Mission Australia-operated Sobering Up Shelter now operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The 24 hour operation commenced on 1 November.
This will ensure people who need help with alcohol addiction can access the support they need at any time.
Since the single vehicle was re-introduced in December 2017, Larrakia Nation has had 5413 engagements with people at an average of 17-18 engagements per day.
The Day Patrol has so far:
- responded to over 540 calls from the public
- transported over 1300 people to safe locations
- linked 203 people will Territory Connect (Return to Country)
- Connected 374 people with social and health services
Mr Robert Cooper, CEO of Larrakia Nation is available today to discuss the impact of the additional four vehicles.
As stated by Chief Minister Michael Gunner
This is the most comprehensive suite of measures in Territory history to tackle anti-social behaviour.
We know Territorians are sick of it, and we know its been a problem for a long time. But this Government is tackling it head on, with immediate services like the Day Patrol, and longer term solutions to get people back on track.
Its about making sure ALL Territorians in their homes, businesses or on the street are in a safe environment.
