community safety precinct committee meeting ... - NSW Police Force

COMMUNITY SAFETY PRECINCT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
DATE: Wednesday 14 September 2011
LOCATION: Surry Hills Police Station Conference Room
START TIME: 10.00 am
FINISH TIME: 11.50 am
ATTENDEES
• Superintendent Anthony CRANDELL, Commander, Surry Hills LAC
• Detective Inspector Shane WOOLBANK, Crime Manager, Surry Hills LAC
• Inspector Paul KELLY, Duty Officer, Surry Hills LAC
• Sergeant Adam McGRATH, Crime Co-ordinator, Surry Hills LAC
• Constable Craig PARKINSON, Crime Prevention Officer, Surry Hills LAC
• DI TORNAI, City of Sydney
• Rebecca MARTIN, City of Sydney
• Jacqui SEQUEIRA, City of Sydney
• Christine McDONALD, City of Sydney
• Adam LANDER, City of Sydney
• Hayley ROBERTSON, Office of Lord Mayor
• David CASS, Surry Hills Liquor Accord
• Roy BISHOP, Clover Moore, MP
• Angela WALSH, Housing NSW
• Robert KNAPMAN, ACON
• Gary BURNS, Independent Gay Rights Activist
• Brian ADAMS, Surry Hills Business Alliance
• Michael TIYCE, Taylor Village Residents Group
APOLOGIES
• Pip DITZELL, City of Sydney
• Debbie EVANS, City of Sydney
• Orla BURKE, City of Sydney
• Christine BYRNE, Hyde Park Community Voice
• Stephen PATE, Hyde Park Community Voice
• David MURRAY, Housing New South Wales
• Keith JONES, Langton Centre
• Paul LEE-MATYNARD, SGBLA
• Brian NOAD, Nichols Street Community Group
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COMMUNITY SAFETY PRECINCT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
• Superintendent CRANDELL opened the meeting at 10.00 am by extending a
welcome to attendees. Apologies received were noted.
o Superintendent CRANDELL advised the Community Action Group
meetings have been very helpful in identifying issues particularly
around the southern end of Crown Street. Local businesses have
been visited with people happy to seen a police presence in the area.
o Police have been liaising with Redfern Police regarding the problems
in the area.
o Surry Hills Licensing and bike squad have increased patrols in the
area targeting anti-social behaviour and bike rider compliance.
PREVIOUS MINUTES AND ACTION ITEMS
• Cst PARKINSON asked for acceptance of the minutes of the previous CSPC
meeting held on 15 June 2011 and noted the actioned items.
o ACTION ITEM: Rebecca MARTIN to advise council Licensing
representative for inclusion in future Community Action Group
meetings. - PENDING
o ACTION ITEM: Brian NOAD to advise bike unit directly of bicycle
offences – PENDING.
o ACTION ITEM: Feedback for the renumbering project for Northcott
Flats has been completed and HNSW are awaiting implementation of
the scheme. Police now have current access fobs/keys for HNSW
properties in Surry Hills. Each first response vehicle has a set.
o ACTION ITEM: Meetings with Cst PARKINSON, Christine BYRNE
and Cllr Di TORNAI conducted to expand police access to high rise
buildings.
GENERAL BUSINESS
• Michael TIYCE advised problems still exist with bike riders on Bourke Street.
o Di TORNAI asked about the areas, pathways and trends.
o Inspector WOOLBANK commented it was unrealistic to rely wholly on
the bike unit to address the issue.
o Michael TIYCE commented bike riders are usually unidentifiable. They
have no registration plates to identify a particular bicycle.
o Inspector WOOLBANK added Surry Hills has the best resources with
the only full time bike unit.
o Di TORNAI added her support for the police.
o Roy BISHOP suggested a fine for persons breaking the law and an
information pack for novices.

COMMUNITY SAFETY PRECINCT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
• Rebecca MARTIN outlined the process of renewal for expiring Alcohol Free
Zones.
o Superintendent CRANDELL commented some anti-social behaviour is
not being reported. Police rely on CAD data to support its application.
o Michael TIYCE asked why AFZs are not automatically reinstated and
submission is only required to delete an AFZ.
o David CASS suggested it would be useful for City of Sydney to make
a submission to state government to simplify the process. He
commented the process to review should be easy.
o Di TORNAI advised because we live in a democratic society the
process needs to be revisited as situations change.
o Roy BISHOP stated there is a history of original rationale previously
o
o
from rural areas.
Inspector WOOLBANK advised there are currently restrictions in place
in the NT on purchasing and drinking. The Triple Ace Hotel has
voluntarily restricted sales on cask wine and other take-away sales to
help curb street drinkers.
ACTION ITEM: Rebecca MARTIN to supply soft copy of AFZ for
distribution.
o David CASS recommended all types of containers on the new AFZ
signage.
• Inspector WOOLBANK commented we are in a benign winter period. A good
2010/2011 result has prompted even tighter crime figures.
o Opportunistic crime features in break and enter offences taking laptop
computers, passports, etc.
o There has been an increase in bicycle theft
o Steal from motor vehicles (SMV) is decreasing.
o As the warmer months approach we should see an increase in
criminal activity.
o Inspector WOOLBANK advised there was a general lack of
understanding of fire compliance requirements by owners and
licensees.
o Di TORNAI suggested the liquor accord could raise the issue.
o David CASS advised there was an annual inspection which usually
raises a few issues, mainly exit signs on fire exits.
o Inspector WOOLBANK commented a number of licensed premises
have crowd capacity left off the DAs. He further advised police
presence in licensed premises has an impact with crime levels
remaining low.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
• Robert KNAPMAN enquired about the ‘Safe Place’ program. The program
has been in operation for some time and is in need of review.
o Jacqui SEQUEIRA asked what a ‘Safe Place’ provides.

COMMUNITY SAFETY PRECINCT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
o Robert KNAPMAN answered with police involvement, closed door
support for vulnerable members of the community.
• Adam LANDER advised he was working with the implementation of ‘Alcohol
Free Zones’ (AFZs) with the City of Sydney. Some existing AFZs are up for
renewal in November 2011.
o Michael TIYCE asked if AFZs expire before being renewed.
o Rebecca MARTIN answered they are generally renewed as they
expire.
• Superintendent CRANDELL introduced Cst Matthew RISPEN as the
commander’s spokesman on GLBT issues. He will function in a liaison role
and as a contact at Surry Hills Police Station. His email address is
risp1mat@police.nsw.gov.au.
o
ACTION ITEM: Media release to SX and Star Observer with Cst
RISPEN’s profile.
• Christie McDONALD advised she is currently assisting at the City of Sydney.
• Rebecca MARTIN advised she is currently looking at compliance of late night
premises to better manage the venues. She has contacted Nick PITCHUSU,
the licensed premises co-ordinator for the City of Sydney.
o ACTION ITEM: Rebecca MARTIN to advise Cst PARKINSON of the
contact details of the licensed premises co-ordinator, Nick
o
PITCHUSU.
Superintendent CRANDELL raised the issue of some of these
premises attracting a hostile crowd. Some are becoming secondary
licensed premises
o Inspector WOOLBANK advised the issues of premises with a trial
period of late opening are that most of the incidents occur after
midnight.
• Gary BURNS advised he has had positive feedback from the GLBT about
uniformed police on Oxford Street – in cars, bicycles and on foot. He further
stated it is not just the GLBT community but all citizens are appreciative of
police engaging with the community.
• Di TORNAI expressed her thanks to Rebecca MARTIN.
o She further advised there were a number of DAs sent to police where
clearly police needed to respond and council have not received a
reply.
o Inspector WOOLBANK asked to see outstanding DAs. He advised
there seemed to be a reliance on police to provide objections.
o Michael TIYCE advised it takes so long for council to take action
against breaches of the DA.
• Jacqui SEQUEIRA – no issues.
• Hayley ROBERTSON – No pressing issues

COMMUNITY SAFETY PRECINCT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
• Roy BISHOP enquired about links to the Chinese community and if there is
something proactive to engage, perhaps by way of the Australian Chinese
Community Association (ACCA).
o
ACTION ITEM: Cst PARKINSON to contact ACCA to establish
ongoing communications.
• Angela WALSH – No pressing issues. Drinking in Ward park
o Superintendent CRANDELL wants to work closer with HNSW to
identify persistent problems.
o Angela WALSH advised the new CCTV cameras at Northcott are now
in place. Cameras also cover 254 Crown Street, monitored at
Northcott.
o Inspector WOOLBANK asked about the renumbering project.
o Angela WALSH replied the new numbering is in its final stages.
o Angela WALSH further advised the Safety Audit of Northcott is coming
up. Surry Hills is the quietest area for HNSW.
o Inspector WOOLBANK noted the PCYC van at Ward Park.
• Brian ADAMS commented on anti-social behaviour. It is not locals and
mentioned the Irish (Gaelic) Club being a problem with drug dealing. Other
issues are vomiting on the street and malicious damage to property.
Suggested beat police or Mounties patrol area.
Brian ADAMS commented further on bicycles on footpaths around Elizabeth,
Foveaux and Chalmers Streets. There is a potential for robberies in this area
and pushbikes being used as getaway vehicles.
o ACTION ITEM: Superintendent CRANDELL will look at the issue
o ACTION ITEM: Surry Hills Drug Unit about to be formed.
• Michael TIYCE commented he has noticed needles and ‘ice’ pipes being sold.
o Sergeant McGRATH advised the shops are lawfully selling items.
o Michael TIYCE further advised at the rear of ‘Ching-a-lings’ there are
bins left on the street which attract rats.
o ACTION ITEM: Michael TIYCE to send details to Cllr Di TORNAI
o Michael TIYCE advised noise on the street from the Sticky Bar and
‘Fooeys’ club, next to Kinselas attracts a Pacific Islander crowd which
spills out onto Taylor Square causing problems.
o Superintendent CRANDELL commented there is a problem with
crowds not moving on from outside the Court House Hotel on Taylor
Square.
• David CASS raised the issue of licensed premises complying with fire
regulations. He will speak with Inspector WOOLBANK and Fire NSW
regarding licensed premises and fire regulations. David CASS commented
further that vomit, urination are standard for any entertainment precinct
o Michael TIYCE advised people are still getting smashed in licensed
premises.
o Cst PARKINSON commented intoxicated persons are identified and
rightfully ejected.

COMMUNITY SAFETY PRECINCT COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
o David CASS further advised he noted a reduction in the use of drugs,
particularly ‘ice’. He commented it was good to see Mardi Gras
moving away from ‘Sleaze Ball’ to making use of existing licensed
premises.
• Robert KNAPMAN asked if there was a review of the CCTV program.
o Di TORNAI answered a review is being conducted.
o Superintendent CRANDELL added CCTV is a useful tool for detection
of offenders, ultimately crime is driven down.
o Di TORNAI commented until the world learns to behave we need to
use CCTV. We have to balance lawful purpose against civil liberties
• Hayley ROBERTSON advised a new trial of the ‘pissoirs’ will be introduced in
November 2011 at a date to be advised.
o ACTION ITEM: Location and dates to be advised.
• Roy BISHOP requested council to present the late night plan
o ACTION ITEM: Rebecca MARTIN to follow up.
MEETING CLOSED 11.50am
NEXT MEETING SET DOWN FOR 10.00am WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER 2011
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