Migrants and refugees living in Hume are being encouraged to take part in a coming community forum to help them get to know their local police.
Organised by the Oorja Foundation in partnership with Victoria police and Hume council, the forum is aimed at addressing crime and safety concerns in the community.
Foundation chairman Ajit Singh hopes the forum will help migrants engage with local police and their neighbours to make them feel safe.
“A lot of migrant communities don’t know how policing works in Australia, so the more we can get them to engage with police the better,” he said.
“Often they have different experiences of policing in their home countries. We want them to know police are friendly and approachable here.”
Mr Singh says the forum will cover topics such as crime prevention, burglaries, family violence, youth programs, Neighbourhood Watch and the role of police in the community, as well as how to make confidential reports to Crime Stoppers.
“People are seeing strangers in their street and they don’t feel safe so the crucial part is actually knowing their local police,” Mr Singh said. “If you feel familiar with them, you will be able to have a discussion with them, which is important for reporting family violence.”
The free forum is on Saturday, October 8, 11am-2pm, at the Hume Global Learning Centre, 75-95 Central Park Avenue, Craigieburn, and will include lunch provided by Craigieburn Rotary Club.
If planning to attend, visit: www.oorjafoundation.org.au
