A safe community is a shared community

As we start the year in Docklands and prepare the second year of the new committee of Community3008 Inc., it is a good opportunity to reflect on how we care for our neighbourhood and the role we all play in maintaining a place that feels safe, welcoming and connected.

Safety is not the only issue facing our community, but it remains an important one. Docklands is, by and large, a relatively safe place to live, work and visit. Many people choose to be here because of its open spaces, walkability and amenity. Maintaining that sense of safety is less about reacting to crisis and more about constant vigilance, mindfulness and shared responsibility as our neighbourhood continues to grow and change.

At the recent Community3008 AGM, I shared a safety briefing following the end-of-year Safety Forum I attended, hosted by Melbourne West Police Station. At that safety forum, police confirmed that all action items from the previous meeting had been completed. The top concerns for 2025 remained the same as in 2024, with safety in public spaces and safety of possessions continuing to feature most strongly.

Victoria Police advised that while crime levels have not dramatically increased, the overall feeling of safety in the community has declined. Importantly, most residents still report feeling comfortable engaging with police and Protective Services Officers.

A number of targeted police operations are currently under way across the city, including high visibility patrols, car park operations responding to theft from vehicles, shop theft operations, and proactive outreach with young people and rough sleepers. There are dedicated patrols around Southern Cross Station, Flinders Street Station, and known hotspots such as Rose Lane. Resourcing is improving, with new recruits spending time in the city and Docklands to increase visibility, and recent arrests have been made in relation to car park theft.

Issues raised that are particularly relevant to Docklands include hoon behaviour, e-scooter and vehicle gatherings, theft incidents around key buildings, and ongoing concerns about noise and safety on NewQuay Promenade related to motorcycle riders. Police also provided updates on protests occurring across the city, noting these are generally predictable and managed, with monitoring in place for impacts on Docklands.

Residents also continue to raise concerns about unsafe behaviour involving e-bikes and e-scooters in shared pedestrian areas. Active transport plays an important role in Docklands, but when devices are used without care in busy spaces, they can create anxiety and risk, particularly for families, older residents and people with disabilities. This is not about opposing these modes of transport, but about encouraging respectful behaviour, better design and clearer expectations in shared spaces.

Police shared new safety information sheets for residents, including guidance on motor vehicle theft prevention and parcel and letterbox security. These include practical steps such as locking valuables, avoiding leaving identification documents in cars, and securing letterboxes to reduce identity theft risks. These resources will be circulated to the community through our newsletter, on a number of Facebook community pages, and on the website.

Safety in a place like Docklands is not a single issue to solve, but an ongoing practice. It relies on awareness, early communication and collaboration between residents, businesses, community groups and authorities.

As Community3008 prepares for the next local safety forum, we invite residents, workers and local businesses to get in touch with any safety concerns they would like raised. Whether it relates to public behaviour, shared spaces, lighting, traffic or other day to day issues, raising them early helps ensure they are addressed constructively and proportionately.

A safe community is built not through alarm, but through care, mindfulness and collective responsibility. As we begin the year, our focus is on listening, advocating clearly and working together to ensure Docklands continues to be a place people feel comfortable calling home.

Get in touch on [email protected] and get involved by signing up to be a member on community3008.org.au •