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Last Modified: 7 August 2009
Community Services
Community Safety Project
Overview
In April 2007, a discussion paper was prepared in relation to community safety issues in Upper Hutt. At that time, Community Services had a number of small initiatives underway, primarily in relation to family violence, and young people and alcohol.The document provided a snapshot of some basic data, and the different activities that were identifying and responding to community safety issues at that time. That document outlined the broad scope of activities that encompass “community safety” and recommended that Council should determine what the needs of the Upper Hutt community actually are, from a base of evidence.
As a result, Community Services were successful in obtaining funding from the Crime Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Justice to better define the community’s safety issues, and develop activities and interventions that target identified areas of need.
This process began with a community reference group meeting in September 2007, and has involved a lot of research and time spent sourcing information.
The results of this approach are contained in the following documents:
- A Best Practice Report - February 2008, which outlines some principles that Council should be working within.
- An Evidence Report, which documents our local data and information.
- A DRAFT strategy structure and outline, to address the issues identified in the evidence report.
- Specific questions that we would like you, as agencies, groups or organisations working with the Upper Hutt community to answer.
Upper Hutt Police and Regional Public Health are initial partners in this project as there are some clear shared outcomes around safety, health and wellbeing. I would appreciate your consideration of the material, along with any feedback that you may have.
This is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor before resources are further committed, and to highlight issues, gaps or areas of concern that you may have with the direction to date and the proposed approach forward. I would also like you to indicate areas that you particularly agree with or support – it’s not all about negative behaviours, it’s about reducing harm. My intention is to gather all the feedback and come back to you by the end of April 2009 with a finalised strategy.
We have already had to make some choices around definition of “community safety”. The priorities that arose were as a result of the data analysis that was undertaken throughout 2007/08. Some of you may be aware of the Local Services Mapping (LSM) Community Report. You will note that the draft Community Safety Plan excludes those areas being explored in the LSM report, specifically family violence, parenting skills and prisoner re-integration. This is to avoid duplication (and confusion). Council related actions that arise from that process will be incorporated into a “master” community safety plan. Groups that have provided feedback to the LSM process - we will of course be aligning actions as appropriate.
In addition to any thoughts you have on the material, we would also like to know the extent to which your group wants to participate in this important initiative, even if your group has no wish to be part of this project. We are particularly keen to hear if you do think you have a role to play, but we are also interested in knowing the extent to which your group wants to be kept in the loop.
Project Updates and Reports
Occasional updates will be posted on this site for general public information, with the more detailed reports being disseminated through a community reference group. All community groups, organisations and agencies who wish to be part of the community reference group should complete the participation form.Feedback
If you have any questions in regard to the documentation or the project, please write to me at andrea.curtis@uhcc.govt.nz or Private Bag 907, Upper Hutt.| Top |
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