Geraldton police and community groups launch new security program for vulnerable residents

Making vulnerable Mid West residents feel safer in their homes and reducing crime are the aims of a new program run by WA Police with several Geraldton community organisations, which was launched yesterday. Through the Vulnerable Victims program, elderly residents, people with disabilities and community members affected by domestic violence will be given free home security equipment donated by Bunnings Geraldton. Security lights, alarms, sensors and other equipment will be installed by Elite Electrical Contracting at no cost to participants. Mission Australia and the City of Greater Geraldton are also supporting the program. Residents who report burglaries, property damage and incidences of trespassing and stalking may be identified as potential participants of the program by police. Geraldton resident Daisy Nash was one of the first to receive security equipment as part of the program. Ms Nash called the police after someone let the chickens out of the cage in her backyard, with the 87-year-old saying she now felt safer in her home. “I was the first one to get it (the equipment) and I appreciate it,” she said. Acting Inspector Chris Martin said the initiative was one way police hoped to prevent and reduce volume crime in Geraldton and the Mid West. “I think it is going to be highly successful in reducing crime even further than what we have seen this year,” he said. “In the last six to seven months, we have seen a general reduction in crime across the (Geraldton) sub-district. “However ... we are still continuing to see higher than normal figures in regards to burglaries, trespassing, damages and stealing.” Acting Inspector Martin said volume crime was often under-reported and encouraged residents to call police whenever an incident occurred. “If we don’t know what happened, we can’t help you out,” he said.