City of Melbourne hires 11 community safety officers to staunch CBD crime wave

Eleven private security guards will patrol Melbourne’s CBD streets in a fresh push to roll back the horrific bursts of violence that have tarnished the city in recent months.

The City of Melbourne, the local council that covers Melbourne’s densely populated inner-city districts and vast Royal Botanic Gardens, confirmed the shock move on Thursday, saying its “community safety officers” would work alongside Victoria Police to contain anti-social behaviour.

“They are going to be a very visible safety presence in our streets,” Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece said.

“They are able to make arrests, they are trained in how to manage hostile situations, they are there to keep Melbourians safe.”

The officers will target “key hotspots” in the CBD, the council said, such as Elizabeth Street South, Bourke Street and Swanston Street and also locations in Southbank, Carlton, the Docklands, Kensington and East Melbourne.

The council has allocated $2m to the program, which comes after a shocking wave of crime across Melbourne in recent months, including examples of extreme and apparently random violence.

On October 2, 36-year-old Wan Lai was walking at the intersection of Little Bourke and Spencer when another woman, 32-year-old Lauren Darul, ran up to her in broad daylight and allegedly stabbed her.

The incident gained widespread attention after video of the horrific moment spread across the media.

The council’s safety officers do not have the same powers as the police.

They have authority to enforce local laws and can issue fines and give directions for certain breaches such as the illegal consumption of drugs and alcohol.

“Working in pairs, CSOs will identify and respond to anti-social behaviour, support vulnerable people and co-ordinate with Victoria Police when needed, with the program welcomed by Victoria Police,” the council said.

“While CSOs have authority under local and some state laws, they are not police or protective service officers – they focus on support and connection rather than policing.”

A key focus for the officers will be to “de-escalate” situations until the police arrive, the council said.

“All officers have completed training in trauma-informed engagement, mental health awareness, cultural safety, substance use and family violence awareness,” the council said.

The officers will wear uniforms and be equipped with kevlar, a body cam and hand cuffs.

They won’t hold weapons and will not investigate crimes.

They will patrol the streets seven days a week for 11 hours a day.

Luke Clark, one of the officers, said his memories of going to AFL games as a boy had inspired him to take up the role.

“My fondest memories were coming to the city with my parents or grandparents, whether it was for AFL games or just days out,” he said.

“People should still be able to feel that way now, safe and welcome, in the city.”

The program has garnered controversy.

A petition against the measure from the Homeless Persons Union stated it would “target” the homeless.

“We believe that this program is an anti-homeless person task force,” the petition reads.

“Real safety risks should be managed under existing programs and services that have proper, lawful safeguards – not increased policing and punishment of homelessness.”

On Friday, Police Minister Anthony Carbines was pressed on whether the council’s decision to employ its own security team demonstrated that the Jacinta Allan government had failed to properly secure public safety.

Mr Carbines said the government had co-ordinated with the council on the program.

“The Lord Mayor of Melbourne made election commitments to bring community safety officers into the city of Melbourne,” he said.

“That’s an election commitment that he has made. We’ve worked closely with him on those to support him. We should all be working together on our community safety.

“This is the capital city of the state and the City of Melbourne has a very significant budget and resources and it also needs to play a role in community safety.”

He added the City of Melbourne was “independent” and could make its own decisions.