ARARAT residents will have an opportunity to raise key law and order issues with police at a special forum next Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Northern Grampians Neighbourhood Policing Forum will explore topics including current crime trends in Ararat, crime prevention, family violence, road policing, drugs and drug related crime.<\/p>\n
Senior Sergeant Liam McMahon said it was an opportunity for residents to speak directly with senior police about issues of concern.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a forum for the community and it\u2019s to talk about current crime figures, crime prevention and young people and how we can do out bit to help the community and address crime.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving an open channel between the local community, local police members and committees is very beneficial to the way we police and conduct our business,\u201d Senior Sergeant McMahon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have representatives from our region Division Four which is Horsham, Stawell and Ararat and we\u2019ll also have representatives from Victoria Police in Melbourne and from the region as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Senior Sergeant McMahon told the Ararat Advocate this week the forum will discuss the best utilisation of police resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as we would like to be everywhere, sometimes we can\u2019t be, we want to understand what the community needs are how we can work better,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Superintendent Sharon McCrory said it was important for all parts of the community to have a say.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are really looking at is hearing from the local community about what they feel is impacting them, what their local issues are rather than us looking at our data and making that assumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re really encouraging anyone in the local community to come along and voice their concerns and also hear from my team as to what we are doing proactively and in response to local policing issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re always looking to improve and the community is part of that and part of our five year strategic plan is working with our community and our partners to prevent crime, reduce harm and build a better, safer community for everyone,\u201d Superintendent McCrory said.<\/p>\n
The Northern Grampians Neighbourhood Policing Forum is part of a series of forums rolled out by Victoria Police across the state, including one next Wednesday in Horsham.<\/p>\n
The Ararat forum will be from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Thursday, April 18 at the Ararat Town Hall.<\/p>\n