Police resources in the CBD are being boosted to tackle community concerns regarding antisocial behaviour.

The Malinauskas Government and SA Police are mobilising extra Operation Paragon officers to increase police presence around the CBD and particularly North Terrace precinct.

SAPOL will increase its policing presence made up of mobile and foot patrols, as well as Mounted Operations in the city centre to address anti-social behaviour and offences of violence through a highly visible presence.

The government and SAPOL recognise community concerns and strongly believe everyone deserves to feel safe in and around the CBD, prompting a swift and efficient mobilisation of resources to key areas.

Several policing areas such as Licensing Enforcement Branch, State Operations Support Branch, Road Policing Section, Mounted Operations Unit, and Security Response Section will be mobilised as part of the strong response.

Supporting the police response, the Liquor Licencing Commissioner, businesses, hoteliers and other stakeholders are working together to keep the community safe through proactive measures.

The Department of Human Services led Safety and Wellbeing Taskforce continues to coordinate an increased assertive outreach response in the CBD from 7am, 7 days a week staffed by DHS and NGOs, employ cultural workers to ensure effective engagement and maximise response times of the Mobile Assistance Patrol among other initiatives.

Currently in the CBD on Friday and Saturday nights from 6pm to 6am, the West End is currently a Declared Public Precinct, giving police additional powers to ensure community safety.

Announced in last week’s state budget, the state government is investing $81.8 million over four years to recruit an additional 189 sworn Police Security Officers – allowing police officers to focus on front line, core policing duties.

The investment will release 45 additional police officers to the front line.

A further $12.2 million will accelerate recruitment and training with an aim to address existing vacancies within SA Police.

In the past year, additional courses have already been added at the SAPOL Academy and successfully doubled the number of cadet graduates.

This new investment in the 2023-24 State Budget provides support to further boost the number of police recruits graduating to more than 300 per year and deliver over 900 new police cadets to the frontline over the next three years.

Quotes

Attributable to Joe Szakacs

Anyone who comes to the CBD regardless of whether it’s day or night deserves to feel safe at all times.

I have been working closely with SAPOL on a strong and comprehensive response to ensure our city is welcoming and vibrant.

Police have now surged resources into the CBD to address anti-social behaviour and the commitment of additional capacity and programs are not only being actively examined by SAPOL, but multiple other government agencies.

This response is being supported by Human Services Minister Nat Cook in comprehensive DHS-led activations and responses across the CBD.

The State Government has dramatically boosted resources for SAPOL in this year’s state budget. We are investing $94 million for 189 additional sworn Police Security Officers and to boost police cadets to 900 across the next three years.

Attributable to Acting Police Commissioner Linda Williams

We understand the fear of crime in the city and having additional police officers in the area will provide reassurance to the community.

Operation Paragon is focussed on addressing alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the CBD through a multi-agency approach.

It helps to facilitate access to support services that address the health and welfare needs of at risk individuals in the community.  

Operation Paragon resources will be significantly increased with the addition of police from other districts and other SAPOL Services.