KINGSTON Council has reportedly joined forces with six other councils across the south-east suburbs of Victoria to demand more state government funding for community safety. Mayors from Kingston, Glen Eira, Bayside, Port Phillip, Monash, Stonnington, and Boroondara councils signed the letter, the state opposition says. They asked for money to address growing crime rates in their communities.
There were 12,633 offences recorded in the Kingston municipality offences in 2024, a small increase from the 2023 figure. Steal from motor vehicle was the most common offence, and Cheltenham was the worst-affected suburb. Statewide, recorded offences increased by a whopping 13.2 percent. (“Crime rate on the rise” The News 1/3/2025)
In Parliament last week, opposition MP David Southwick said the state government should “provide the appropriate funding to employ the 1100 police that have been promised and the resources and funding to ensure police can do their job to keep the community safe.” “These councils are calling for an increase in frontline police, particularly in hotspots, expanded youth crime prevention programs are desperately needed, more support for Neighbourhood Watch who do an unbelievable job, and more support around shopping precincts especially where there are mental health and drug addiction issues,” Southwick said. “Councils have been pressured to respond to the crime crisis because the Allan Labor government have vacated the space.”
The News emailed questions to police minister Anthony Carbines about the matter. A statement from an unnamed Victorian government spokesperson read “community safety is always front of mind — that’s why we’ve listened and acted with the toughest bail laws in the country. “These are already seeing alleged offenders refused bail – and we’ll have more changes to come soon. We will continue to work with Victoria Police to address community concerns around crime and anti-social behaviour.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 21 May 2025