Work of Aboriginal anti-crime patrol in Kalgoorlie commended

23/3/95

Police Minister Bob Wiese today praised the work of the Aboriginal Wunngagutu patrol in Kalgoorlie which has won national recognition for significantly reducing violent crime.

Mr Wiese said the self-supporting volunteer organisation, which helped people from the local Aboriginal community affected by alcohol, drugs or tribal issues, had been judged regional winner of the 1994 Australian Violence Prevention Award.

The national awards recognise outstanding projects which assist in the prevention or reduction of violence in the community.

In Kalgoorlie, to present patrol members with an award certificate and a cheque for $5,000, Mr Wiese said the patrol had developed a highly successful program at reducing the incidence of drunkenness on the street.

The Minister said since the patrol began 18 months ago, it had also significantly decreased acts of vandalism, stealing and feuding between the different Aboriginal groups which gravitate into the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area.

"The patrol has proved to be an outstanding success and is testimony to a group of  people who started with nothing more than a dream to help others," Mr Wiese said.

"Their tireless efforts have helped to bring the Aboriginal and white communities much closer together.

"This respect is demonstrated very positively in the financial support provided by local business, the corporate sector and Aboriginal organisations."

Mr Wiese said local police had been surprised with the remarkable success of the organisation which had, within 12 months of operation, reduced arrests by 30 per cent and dropped the number of people being detained for drunkenness by more than 60 per cent.

"The key to the patrol's success is the personal contact being offered to those in distress by people with a genuine concern for their safety," he said.

The Minister said police estimated that more than 7,000 people had been transported by the patrol to places of safety which included 1,200 people who probably would have been arrested.

"There are wide-ranging community benefits from the crucial role being performed by the Wunngagutu patrol which include savings to police, hospitals and the courts in manpower and other resources," he said.

"There are also very positive benefits for those individual persons who are conveyed to a safe haven and are spared the ignominy of prosecution in court and possible gaol sentence.

"A project such as this which can prevent violence, cut down on crime, preclude the need for police and result in a very positive outcome for those concerned has got to be worth its weight in gold!"

Mr Wiese said the Wunnagutu patrol was one of nine individual submissions for consideration in the Violence Prevention Awards.

Others included the Armadale Domestic Violence Intervention Project which operated by linking police, victim services and offender programs and by encouraging community awareness. The project received an award certificate and $1,500.

The Juvenile Aid Group (JAG) being organised by the City Police and which dealt with juveniles at risk in the city area also received an award certificate and $1,500.

The Cannington Fast Track Program, which assisted young people who have dropped out of school prematurely to find employment or training opportunities, received a certificate of encouragement award.

The Maddington Teen Scene, which provided support for parents and adolescents who were in trouble with the law, also received a certificate of encouragement award.

Media contact: Mark Thompson on 222 9595