A new Victoria Police initiative, born out of Ballarat, will highlight ways the community can help police tackle rising crime and promote all facets of community safety.

Proactive policing Leading Senior Constable Janine Walker is determined to empower the Ballarat community with knowledge to prevent thieves from stealing valuables and causing distress to hard working citizens.

She also wants to make sure those exposed to family violence know how to seek the information they might need to help themselves or their family members.

The event will focus on safe living and securing around the vehicle, home and garage – to reduce high volume crime and road safety, within and the community and further engaging children to prevent crime. It will also focus on encouraging and empowering the community to develop crime prevention strategies around the home and take a share responsibility.

“The purpose of this event is to be proactive and encourage people to take power of creating their own home security and personal safety,” Leading Senior Constable Walker said.

A diverse range of authorities will be in attendance including the TAC, the Department of Justice, Blue Light Ballarat, Victoria Police, Neighbourhood Watch Ballarat, Ballarat and District Community Support Register, CrimeStoppers and NMVTRC.

“It’s a very broad approach because not one solution fits all people and there are so many different aspects that police can be called to from personal relationships that flow onto more serious incidents to home security,” Leading Senior Constable Walker said. 

“There is also a focus on road safety as there is more to community safety that home security and theft of motor vehicle there is also family violence issues.” 

The Safer Communities expo will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 10am to 2pm at the Ballarat Community Health Centre in Lucas.