Have your say on Rural Crime
The NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) has welcomed the NSW government’s Inquiry into Community Safety in Regional and Rural Communities and has urged community members to have their say.
The Country Mayors have been calling for an inquiry for months to address the dangerous increase in crime in rural areas across the state.
CMA Chair Jamie Chaffey, said the statistics clearly show disproportionate crime levels and fewer police resources in rural New South Wales, and it was now up to community members to bring the full extent of the crisis to the attention of the State Government.
Councillor Chaffey, who is also Mayor of Gunnedah Shire, said it had been an enormous challenge to make this Inquiry a reality.
“This is a great first step and now that we have the attention of our Members of Parliament, it is up to us all to make sure that we are sharing our lived experience and any suggestions we have about how to stop the number and severity of crime,” Cr Chaffey said.
“We also need to make it clear that there is a need for adequate support for both victims and perpetrators that will lead to a safer community.”
Councillor Chaffey said there was a real need for pro-active policing, and an increase in police numbers.
“Whether you have been impacted by crime, or if you know someone who has, you need to make your voice heard,” he said.
The CMA’s recent general meeting at parliament house hosted top-level speakers on rural crime.[…]
Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.
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