The issue of mental health and crime in the area was raised at the council meeting today.
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A motion was put forward by Councillor Mark Baxter stating that council should act as a facilitator and bring together concerned parties in the community.
“In light of recent events I believe council should coordinate with groups in the community to come up with an action plan,” Cr Baxter said.
“Crime in the area is unacceptable, the carjacking and home invasions, it’s getting out of control. These crimes are usually the result of drug abuse.”
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Councillor Bruce Morris spoke against the motion stating that council can’t act as facilitator because they aren’t mental health experts.
“We need to ask the Breaking the Cycle Committee to have a look at this issue and we need to focus on getting this group to work,” he said.
Councillor Patterson agreed: “We need to make sure the committee reports back to us and we can then pass on the information to the Local Government.”
Councillor Leo Hauville put forward an amendment to the motion asking council to work on a report for the December council meeting so Councillors would be more informed of the situation. However, the amendment was lost.
Council moved into workshop to freely discuss the issue and decided a private meeting with agencies and mental health stakeholders would benefit the community and the issue.
General Manager Craig Milburn said this concept aligned well with the vision in council’s Community Strategic Plan: “We live in a community that provides opportunity to all, to prosper in an environment that supports well-being, connectedness and access to resources the community wants and needs.”
“The idea of council hosting a private meeting with the agencies who deal with mental health and crime would allow council to get information and work out a strategy moving forward,” Mr Milburn said.
Cr Baxter said the revised motion is a step in a positive direction in regards to crime and mental health in the area.
“The structure we have now isn’t working. A meeting of experts that council will host is a great idea,” he said.
Council unanimously carried the motion to hold a private meeting for concerned parties with a public report provided to council and the community following the meeting.
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