Media release - Senator David Van announces Community Safety Forum

Senator for Victoria, David Van, today announced he will be holding a community safety forum for residents and business owners in St Kilda.

The forum comes in the wake of a broad-daylight assault on an elderly man last week in Balluk William Court, behind St Kilda Park Primary School.

Senator Van said he had local residents reach out to him in the wake of this attack with their concerns.

“This is the latest in a string of crimes being committed throughout St Kilda, and locals don’t feel safe anymore,” Senator Van said. “We have seen improvements in the areas where CCTV has been installed but there are areas still vulnerable.”

“We’re seeing the problems of inadequate and mixed social housing impact on the streets and lives of other people in the community.”

Senator Van was particularly concerned about the difficulties that the State and Local Government have had in in tackling these crime issues.

“Plenty of community members are reaching out to government for a response, but are struggling to have their concerns addressed,” Senator Van said.

“The State Government and City of Port Phillip have a real opportunity to step up and support their community in trying to resolve these challenges.”

Senator Van’s community safety forum will be held on Tuesday 17 December in St Kilda. Places are limited. To register, please email senator.van@aph.gov.au no later than Friday, 13 December.