Campaspe Police Service Area is holding a Neighbourhood Policing Forum at Echuca Workers on Wednesday, September 4.
Designed to connect local law enforcement with the community, it will cover themes including the demographics of the region, youth, family violence, crime and road policing.
Local area commander Inspector David Bowler is among four panel members addressing these topics and asking for feedback or areas of concern from attendees.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to come and ask questions from the people that are in charge of the current crime themes and to find out what police have been doing in the area,” he said.
“More importantly, for the community to tell the police what their concerns are.
“We want to hear from the community about your concerns.”
Along with Inspector Bowler, Western Region assistant commissioner Michael Grainger, Western Region acting commander Zorka Dunstan and divisional commander Superintendent Brad Dixon will speak on proactive and reactive policing measures, as well as current operations.
They will unpack the recent community sentiment survey, open for submission in May, to see what areas need to be addressed.
“The most important thing for us is to be able to hear from the community and hear what’s affecting them, so we can get a better understanding of how we can help them moving forward, relating to each particular theme,” Inspector Bowler said.
“We will also be looking at our community sentiment survey and talking about that, which is where the community has been able to respond on a localised level as to what is affecting them, what their concerns are and their perception of safety in the area.”
The forum welcomes all residents to attend, as an opportunity to meet local police and field any inquiries to the team.
Inspector Bowler particularly encourages those who feel unsafe or have worries in any of the crime themes.
“It's a fantastic opportunity to ask those burning questions,” he said.
“We really want to hear from the average person at home, who we know sometimes don’t feel safe in their home.
“If there’s anyone in the community that doesn't quite feel safe all of the time or has some concerns about local crime or local road policing or drugs and alcohol or youth crime and family violence, come to this forum and ask those questions, we want to hear from you.”
Questions can be asked throughout the event, in advance or anonymously through https://app.sli.do/event/8c2nA4Bw5BuZAsByEeqDJy/live/questions
While the event is free, attendees are asked to register their interest through Eventbrite and the QR code.
The event is fully catered, with tea, coffee, sausage rolls, scones and sandwiches on offer. Those with dietary requirements or any event queries can email campaspe-distinspect-r3d4-oic@police.vic.gov.au.
Campaspe Neighbhourhood Policing Forum is on Wednesday, September 4, from 9.45am for a 10am start, to 1pm at Echuca Workers, 165 -171 Annesley St, Echuca.