JANE AGIRTAN INDEPENDENT

It is no secret that Kingston and Bayside are experiencing unprecedented increase in crime, aggravated burglaries and carjackings.

I am not going to mice my words: It’s never been that bad. We all know it is no longer safe to sleep in your own bed, walk the dog, do grocery shopping or heaven forbid, be around train station after 6 pm.

Weak position of Andrews/Allan Labor goverment on crime; broken justice system, weak bail laws coupled with record migration intake during escalating cost of living and housing crisis and out of control inflation are part of the problem.

With youth crime up 37% in last 5 years and 20% in the last 12 months * it’s mind boggling that councils continue to ignore the issue of crime while candidates mutter about ” improving safety” while waving rainbow flags and attending drag shows.

We’re not here to sell you promises we can’t keep – a number of independent candidates with background in business, education, mental health and counselling have developed a simple, yet effective policy that will get disengaged youth off the streets.

“We will lobby councils to create Youth Sheds – a welcoming and inclusive space for young adults from vulnerable** families who will be able to access mentoring, learn a trade or a life skill, play sport or a music instrument FREE OF CHARGE and using existing ratepayer facilities, community centers and our Lifesaving and sporting clubs”

Many prominent members of local communities are already on board and ready to volunteer their time to improve lives of many disengaged young people and give them a chance to build a better future and succeed in life.

Our Youth Sheds policy was very well received by community – in fact, so well it is being pitched by candidates, parents and everyday residents regional Victoria.

*Victorian Crime Statistics Agency reveals the number of alleged offences committed by young people aged 10 to 14 has increased 37 percent over the last five years. In 2024, there were over 6,800 alleged offences committed by this age group.

Data from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency released in June 2024 shows a 20% increase in youth offender incidents over a 12-month period.

**City of Kingston Socio-Economic Index (SEIFA) measures unemployment, low incomes or education levels, single parent families, low skilled occupations, poor English proficiency and whilst in 2021 our Ward was a relatively safe to live, this is no longer the case in 2024.

Unemployment in Kingston is much lower than Victorian average based on DSS data. Frankston and Dandenong councils must act without delay to help