Broome HYPE making its mark

Youth Minister Donna Faragher has praised the Broome HYPE program for leading the way in supporting the town's young people, through youth outreach street patrols.

"HYPE night time patrols of Broome have been highly successful in reducing the numbers of young people milling about late at night and risking getting into trouble," Mrs Faragher said.

"Since the community initiative began about six years ago, the number of street contacts has dropped markedly from 200 a night to an average of 30 a night."

HYPE, which stands for 'Helping Young People Engage', is jointly funded by the Attorney General's National Community Crime Prevention Program, until the end of 2011, and the Shire of Broome.

In addition, Broome police, the juvenile justice section of Corrective Services and the Department for Child Protection provide management support.

Among events co-ordinated by HYPE was the successful Making Movies Roadshow, engaging 20 young people in film-making workshops, conducted through the July school holidays. HYPE also supported other agencies with their events, such as the Broome Youth Support Group fortnightly Drop in Disco, which attracts about 150 young people and Police and Citizens' Youth Centre Saturday night hang out.

"This is truly a united community response to a community issue, and it is delivering rewards," the Minister said.

The HYPE visit also coincided with the Minister's visit to the Lombadina and Djarindjin communities where she discussed issues facing indigenous youth.

The Minister heard about youth programs currently underway including the Djarindjin-Lombadina Scout Group - the first indigenous sea-scout organisation in the Kimberley - and the Youth Drug Action Plan. She also heard about the need for more programs to assist young people at these remote communities.

Mrs Faragher met with representatives from the Broome's Kimberley Girl program which is delivering learning and mentoring programs to young indigenous women.