Time Frame

A suggested time frame for the process that you might consider is as follows:

Week 1

Obtain and consider the information contained on the Queensland Police Service website.

Identify key local groups, organisations and inform them of the Safety Audit programme.

Week 2

Hold a meeting and form a local steering committee: including community, council and police representatives. A suitable venue might be a local church or school hall. The police District Crime Prevention Coordinator will be able to assist you with information and organisation of this meeting.

Week 3

Steering Committee chooses a chairperson/co-ordinator; divides tasks; and broadly defines type of audit.

Week 4

Divide mapped area into sections that can be easily walked in 60 - 90 minutes.

Develop publicity strategies to encourage participation of local residents, to ensure community awareness and consolidate agency commitment to the process.

Week 5

Organise training for the auditors through the police District Crime Prevention Coordinator

Week 6

Organise a Safety Audit team for each section which will conduct audits at specified times.

Plan and undertake the Safety Audits (auditors identify places where they feel unsafe). Audit teams should contain 4 - 7 people if possible.

Week 7

Prioritise problems identified from the audits from most important to least important from a community safety and security point of view.

Write letters to relevant authorities that own the problems and include any suggested solutions for the problems (must be reasonable and justifiable).

Week 8

Develop local action plan and when finished send a copy to the State Co-ordinator, Safety Audit Programme (the action plan should include copy of all problems identified and solutions and a copy of any letters sent). The Safety Audit Evaluation Form should also be completed and sent to the State Co-ordinator.

Week 9 onward

Monitor responses to letters and also the action undertaken by authorities.

Information and Training Sessions

The purpose of the training and information session is:

• to understand the safety audit concept, and
• to increase awareness about safety in public spaces.

Information and training sessions can be arranged by contacting the Safety Audit State Coordinator, Crime Prevention Unit, North Quay, Brisbane. The first point of contact however, should be the local District Crime Prevention Coordinator as this officer is responsible for community policing in the local area on a permanent basis and can assist with monitoring of the results of the Safety Audit.