Tasmania Police is stepping up its focus on reducing anti-social behaviour and retail crime in the Glenorchy municipality, launching Taskforce Respect, a new community campaign involving high visibility patrols in the CBD and shopping areas.
Inspector Jason Klug said the aim of Taskforce Respect was to enhance public safety and community confidence in the Glenorchy CBD, stretching also into Moonah and Claremont, with officers targeting recidivist offenders and anti-social behaviour.
"Tasmania Police's high-visibility foot patrols will continue in retail precincts to disrupt and reduce incidents of crime, with a particular focus on known and repeat offenders," Inspector Klug said.
"We'll also be using drug detection dogs, CCTV footage and CBD exclusion orders to help achieve our goals of helping keep the community safe."
Recidivist offenders and youth crime will be a key focus of Taskforce Respect, with Tasmania Police data showing just 57 people made up 50 per cent of youth crime charges across the state in 2024.
"Our message to these people is simple, if you are offending in the Glenorchy area, then we will be looking out for you," Inspector Klug said.
"Our aim is to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment for businesses, residents and visitors."
Inspector Klug said there was a deliberate use of the word 'respect' in naming the new taskforce, which began operation on Monday, May 12.
"Our message is about instilling a basic respect for one another in our community," Inspector Klug said.
"It is a message, aimed particularly at our youth, in which we say acts of violence and abuse, and acts of retail crime and theft, like we have seen in the past, are unacceptable.
"We want to help people understand the importance of respect, that is, respect for each other, respect for your community and respect for those businesses and retailers that are operating in our city."
Taskforce Respect will build upon successful policing initiatives Operation Swipe in Glenorchy (December 2024) and Operation Saturate (ongoing) across greater Hobart.
Tasmania Police continues to work in partnership with Glenorchy City Council, businesses and stakeholders such as Metro Tasmania to prevent, resolve and investigate issues of crime and anti-social behaviour that occur in public spaces.
Supporting police, Crime Stoppers Tasmania ambassador Mark Mewis said Crime Stoppers welcomed the initiative and sought to remind the public that community safety was the responsibility of all Tasmanians.
"Everyone should be able to enjoy our public spaces without fear or intimidation, and we can further support the police by reporting anti-social behaviour and those engaged in such behaviour anonymously through Crime Stoppers," Mr Mewis said.
As part of the official launch of Taskforce Respect, Tasmania Police's new Poli community outreach van was in attendance to help engage with the Glenorchy community.
Launched in April, Poli has been developed to increase police visibility and improve engagement in the community.
"Poli is staffed by members of the Community Engagement Services team, along with local officers, who can discuss local crime issues and provide crime prevention and general advice to residents and business owners. Poli staff can also provide information and resources about personal, residential and business safety, as well as child safety and safeguarding," Inspector Klug said.
Information on crimes in the Glenorchy community can be provided to police on 131 444 or to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au - information can be provided anonymously. If you are in immediate need of police assistance, call Triple-Zero (000) in an emergency.
Media please note - Inspector Jason Klug will be available for interview today at 2pm.
Crime Stoppers Tasmania ambassador Mark Mewis and Glenorchy City Council Mayor Sue Hickey will also be in attendance. Please meet at Glenorchy City Council lawns, Main Rd, Glenorchy.
