Night patrol and neighbourhood projects among winners of crime-prevention grants

Thirteen not-for-profit organisations and local governments will each receive up to $200,000 under the latest round of Criminal Property Confiscation Grants which is administered by the Department of Justice.

The total amount awarded this year is more than twice what was granted last year.

The programs are delivered across Perth as well as regional and remote WA and range from  a seven-day community night patrol to finding jobs for young former offenders who leave the Justice system.

Grants have been awarded to:

• Jobs South West Inc - $170,352 to work with 60 young people in the Mandurah area who present with high-risk behaviours, criminal activity and drug abuse. Case workers will build relationships with them and manage individual interventions.
• Centrecare Incorporated - $200,000 to provide services such as mentoring, counselling and recreational activities for children in the Cannington, Gosnells and Armadale areas, who are at risk of entering the youth justice system.
• Newman Women’s Shelter - $200,000 to employ a full-time Martu Youth Worker in Newman and the remote community of Punmu. The youth worker will develop activities to reduce boredom, anti-social activity and provide access to education about the effects of drug use.
• South West Refuge Inc - $156,900 for drug and alcohol counselling for people in the Bunbury area who have experienced family and domestic violence, avoiding the need to be on a waiting list for support. It will also provide services such as assistance with applying for financial support and opportunities to learn new skills for better job prospects.
• Tenacious House - $199,500 for an 18-month residential program in the Bullsbrook and Joondalup regions, targeting the underlying causes of criminal offending and substance abuse. It will offer counselling, vocational training and financial literacy education.
• Waalitj Foundation - $94,200 to engage a Youth Mentor to help stem the rise in youth disengagement and the resulting rise in anti-social and unlawful behaviour in the Laverton area. The program involves individual mentoring support and training to improve employability.
• Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation - $199,797 to provide a nightly patrol program in Balgo, which coordinates with services and police. It will transport people at risk of becoming victims of crime and potential offenders, as required, to a safe place.
• City of Mandurah - $197,985 to improve residents’ ability to be more responsible for their own household and personal safety. The Project Officer will respond to local residents’ concerns and use data to work closely with WA Police at the Mandurah Station.
• City of Canning - $39,900 to deliver a neighbourhood sport-skills program for young people aged 8 – 15. It will take place on streets and Reserves around Bentley and Queens Park and will partner with local sporting organisations.
• Ruah Legal Services - $197,700 for a Perth metro pilot to integrate legal and non-legal support for young people with co-occurring mental health and legal needs. The program will involve one FTE lawyer and one FTE key worker.
• Parkerville Children and Youth Care Incorporated - $187,912 to employ a specialist Family and Domestic Violence advocate at its Midland centre. The person will work with clinicians to provide wrap-around services to children, young people and families impacted by FDV.
• Dismantle - $195,000 for a Perth metro project which partners with Reboot, a throughcare recruitment agency to help youth who are no longer under the supervision of the Justice system. Candidates will be inducted, employed and upskilled for up to 18 months, and then helped to find jobs.
• Sudbury Community House Association - $199,966 for an initiative in the Mirrabooka Town Centre which involves the regular presence of outreach staff and the holding of public events to encourage community participation.

“Many of these programs will serve an essential role by diverting vulnerable young people away from risky and potentially criminal behaviours by engaging them in the community,” Acting Director General Kylie Maj said.

“Equally worthy are the services which support family and domestic violence survivors in finding a better future.”

“These projects demonstrate the importance of channelling confiscated criminal funds back for the benefit of the West Australian community,” she said.

Read more about the Criminal Property Confiscation Grants Program.