“After trading on Fitzroy Street for over 45 years, I can honestly say the street is no longer down the toilet – -we’re now swimming in it” – Koach Andon

Crime Statistics Jump in Port Phillip

A few weeks back, crime statistics were released showing that reported criminal incidents in the CoPP were up a staggering 23.19%.  Dive behind the numbers and what is evident is the link between drug fuelled crime and the current wave hitting our patch. Street, laneway and footpath crimes were the highest reported incidents, and not surprisingly, St Kilda wore the brunt of criminal incidents within the City of Port Phillip.

What can be deduced from the growing crime wave statistics, is that St Kilda is the magnet for anti-social and drug fuelled behaviour including within encampments around our retail and commercial hubs.

Current Motion Before Council

As part of dealing with drug induced nefarious behaviours, Council is considering a motion that seeks to remove the exemption in current bylaws that allow homeless and people with complex needs to camp on council land. Currently only one other municipality besides the City of Port Phillip in Victoria exempt the homeless from their bylaws in regard to camping on council land.

The Council motion DOES NOT:

• Criminalise the homeless,
• Fine the homeless,
• Breach Victorian Human Rights legislation, and
• Any removal of an encampment can only be enacted through implementation of protocols and safeguards.

The Council motion WILL:

• Bring the Port Phillip into line with other municipalities in Victoria,
• Support the police in crime prevention,
• Target anti-social and drug encampments,
• Complement the recent Roundtable recommendations,
• Connect people to housing, rehab, and mental health services
• Assist in bringing life back to our retail streets and reclaim our public spaces.

Petition on “No Fines for the Homeless is Predicated on a Lie.

Recently there has been a petition circulating suggesting that the Council motion would authorise officers to fine the homeless for sitting, sleeping or lying on any public land in the City of Port Phillip.

The argument that the proposed changes to the bylaws in effect mean fining the homeless is totally untrue and the petition is based on a false and emotive narrative.

Public utterances by Councillors attest to the fact that the current motion before Council does not involve fining the homeless.

1. Mayor Crawford has re iterated a number of times:

“Can I be very clear that the Port Phillip Councillors have not voted to fine homeless people, nor have they voted to criminalise homelessness.”  And  

“The potential change does not involve fining them.”

2. Cr Beti Jay has also shredded the “fining” argument making it very clear you cannot fine anyone unless they have an address.

“You cannot fine a homeless person if they have no address to go to”

Clearly the Petition “No fines for the homeless-City of Port Phillip”, should be rejected by Council as it is not supported by the facts.

HELP SUPPORT THE COUNCIL MOTION BY SIGNING THE PETITION FOR SAFE STREETS – END THE CAMPING LAW EXEMPTION IN PORT PHILLIP

An alternative petition is now circulating in the City of Port Phillip that supports the Council motion calling for changes to local camping laws, specifically to address safety and amenity concerns associated with encampments on public land. The petition, initiated by Councillor Rod Hardy, aims to end the exemption for rough sleepers in Port Phillip and align the city’s laws with other Victorian councils. The proposed changes would allow the council to designate “no-camping” areas in response to safety and amenity concerns.

Supporting this petition and council motion does not mean advocating for fining the homeless. It is a complimentary initiative alongside the recent Roundtable discussions to improve community safety and deal with rising social problems. The Council motion has the strong support of the police through their submissions to the Roundtable. It also has strong community support.

Please support the alternative petition to enhance public safety and bring the City of Port Phillip’s camping laws into line with all but one other municipalities in Victoria.

https://www.change.org/p/stand-up-for-safety-our-goal-zero-harm-prevention-is-better-than-cure