Community safety initiatives

The City of Stirling partners with Constable Care to deliver engaging safety education programs for young residents. Through interactive workshops and initiatives like the Constable Care Safety School, children learn essential road safety skills in a hands-on environment. This collaboration reinforces the City's commitment to fostering a safer community by equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to navigate real-world safety situations.

For more information, please visit the Constable Care website.

The City’s Neighbourhood Safety Response (NSR) is a coordinated engagement program designed to enhance crime prevention and community safety in identified areas. Led by the City’s Community Safety team, the NSR fosters collaboration between Ward Councillors, government agencies, elected representatives, and relevant community organisations to address local safety concerns and implement proactive solutions.

The NSR builds on insights from the Nollamara Westminster Neighbourhood Safety Trial, which demonstrated the effectiveness of a strength-based approach to community safety. By working closely with residents, businesses, and stakeholders, the program identifies key safety priorities and delivers targeted initiatives to improve public spaces, reduce crime, and strengthen neighbourhood connections.

Neighbourhood Safety Trial - Nollamara and Westminster

In July 2023, Council endorsed the implementation of a neighbourhood safety initiative in Nollamara and Westminster due to community concerns about rising anti-social and criminal behaviour. The Council resolution aligned with the restructure and reform of the City’s Community Safety Business Unit with a renewed focus on community engagement, crime prevention and a partnership approach with WA Police and other relevant agencies.

The Neighbourhood Safety Trial commenced in August 2023 and concluded in January 2024. A key component of this trial was to rethink the traditional community safety activities approach as this is no longer effective. The trial of a multifaceted, locally-led initiative focused on this neighbourhood was developed enabling the City to rethink how it delivers community safety initiatives, partnering with local residents to better understand key issues, and co-creating responses to make the neighbourhood safer.

The work completed was focussed on building trust with the community by listening to their perceptions of safety and responding through implementing targeted actions. As a team we were able to deliver meaningful community engagements and use a mix of engagement tools including: face-to face, safety checks and online engagement to reflect the community’s preference.

Last night Council received the report on the effectiveness of the Neighbourhood Safety Initiative Trial with a list of recommended actions going forward :

Neighbourhood Safety Response, to be coordinated by the Community Safety Team and supported by the Community Engagement Team, to act in response to significant community safety concerns in an area and/or based on intelligence reporting data. The program will include a toolkit of activities that can be initiated including but not limited to:

• Forming a cross agency working group with key agencies
• Undertaking a Neighbourhood Safety Check
• Enacting a live Q and A session on social media
• Detailed analysis of crime related data to inform general and targeted Community Safety actions
• Consideration of Safer Suburbs rebate type programs for residents and businesses, funded through the Community Safety Service charge, on a recurring yearly basis
• Consideration of capital funding pool for solar powered lighting/CCTV assets for permanent or semi-permanent deployment in identified hotspot locations in local parks or reserves to support crime prevention.

The Safer Exchange Site at 679 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley offers a secure, monitored place for safe item exchanges.

Located in a well-lit, public area, it provides a safe environment for all types of transactions. Whether you're buying or selling something, picking up an item, or handling a custody arrangement, this location ensures safety and peace of mind for everyone involved. Your safety is our top priority.

The Safer Exchange Sites initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to community safety, ensuring secure spaces for everyday interactions.

Location

679 Beaufort Street, Mt Lawley

How it works

1. Meet in a safe, public space – The site is monitored, ensuring safer transactions.
2. Follow standard precautions – Avoid sharing personal details and keep exchanges brief.
3. Report concerns – If you feel unsafe or notice suspicious activity, contact WA Police Force on 000 for life-threatening emergencies or 131 444 to report non-urgent suspicious activity. You can also reach the City of Stirling Community Patrols at 1300 365 356 for local safety assistance.

For extra security when using the Safer Exchange Site, consider these key safety tips:

• Meet during daylight hours whenever possible.
• Bring a friend or family member with you to the exchange.
• Consider the risks when meeting someone you don’t know.
• Be aware of online shopping scams and verify details before exchanging items.

These precautions help reduce risks and enhance safety during transactions.

Indemnity notice

By using this Safer Exchange Site, individuals acknowledge that:

• The site provides a designated public location for exchanges but does not assume responsibility for any transactions or interactions
• Users are responsible for their personal safety and belongings during exchanges
• The City of Stirling is not liable for disputes, damages, or losses resulting from exchanges conducted at this location.

Community commitment

The Safer Exchange Sites initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to community safety, ensuring secure spaces for everyday interactions.

Purr-tect Your Pet helps cat owners in Stirling keep their pets safe and healthy. Through this initiative, eligible residents can receive a $150 rebate for sterilisation and microchipping, along with a waived $100 lifetime registration fee. By ensuring cats are properly cared for, owners contribute to responsible pet ownership and a safer community.

For more information, visit the Responsible cat ownership page.