City of Cockburn - Wetlands to Waves

City of Cockburn employs a full-time Safer City Services Officer to help you establish ways to fight crime and protect your property.  The officer can also put you in touch with the neighbourhood watch service which is a valuable entity of the community.

The City of Cockburn encourages you to contact this service for assistance, please phone 9411 3641 during office hours.

Identification marking of your valuables is a FREE SERVICE

Identification marking of your valuables helps to fight crime!

1. It identifies an owner and a thief, when the thief tries to sell your stolen property.
2. Marked goods are an alert to would be buyers.  UV markings are scanned under UV light to identify an owner.  Second hand stores have UV Lights on their premises and are used when an item will be purchased by them.
3. Kerb marking helps emergency vehicles find you home easier.  The number is reflective at night, and bright enough to see during the day. 

The Senior Security Subsidy

• A security subsidy is offered to pensioner seniors to help with costs of installing security items in your home.  Depending on the items, up to $200 per year can be subsidised. Please note a subsidy application package must be completed prior to installation. Please telephone 9411 3641 for details on obtaining the form to fill out for this subsidy
• FREE Workshops are available and designed to inform citizens to become aware of potential hazards and difficulties in the  community. 
•  Please note:    If you have a group, or have any issues or topics you would like to know about regarding safety or crime prevention please contact us. We can arrange a taylor made workshop for your needs.
• Workshops are advertised in the Community newspapers,  Seniors' Centres and Libraries.  Keep an eye out for these advertisements.

We have provided some simple tips to help you feel safe.  Unfortunately, in today's society there have been a number of crimes against Senior Citizens and like everyone else, Seniors need to feel safe too.  By following some of the following ideas, you may help to prevent a crime.  Although these suggestions are in no way a guaranteed prevention.  Often by being safety conscious you are doing something to deter a would be criminal.

Research shows that those who appear confident and take security precautions are less likely to be victims of crime.

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• Remember, LOCK IT or LOSE IT
• Never open your door to strangers, even if it sounds urgent.
• Keep your home visible from the street, prune back trees and bushes and have sensor lighting installed.
• Install a good quality security door that complies with the Australian Standards 2803.
• Fit external doors with deadlocks, preferably that uses keys on both sides on a solid core door.
• Keylock all windows, all windows should be keyed alike using a good quality locking system.
• Security grills over windows that tend to be left open, or used for ventilation is also a great deterrent to thieves.
• A door view or peeper hole is good for identifying a visitor before allowing them entry.
• Do not hide keys under mats or flower pots, they are the first place a burglar will look.
• If you are going out, even for a short while leave a light and radio on, it will appear as if someone is at home.
• There are some relatively inexpensive security items on the market, including alarm systems.  You may be eligble for a subsidy of up to $200 on security items per year.  Contact this officer for a brochure.
• Council also provides a free contents identification service, contact this office to make an appointment.

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Criminals have been known to use the phone to establish a crime opportunity.

Be careful about the information you give to callers that are wanting to know information about you.  Answering machine messages should be brief, for example "you cannot answer the call at the moment, but will get back to them shortly"

• Never let callers know that you live alone.
• OR you are going away or to hospital.
• Never tell callers your private details, or about your family or your financial situation.

If you receive an obscene, abusive or nuisance calls HANG UP. Contact your service provider - Telstra, AAPT, Optus etc and let them know.

If you have a phone with memory, usually on touch phones, you can save numbers of a close friend, neighbour or family members and emergency numbers for quick and easy access just by pressing one button.  This can save you time when you are feeling unsafe or panicking.

HANDS FREE AND CORDLESS PHONES are great as they can be carried around the home with you, or taken to your room at night.  REMEMBER, they have to be regularly charged and dont work when the power is out or the battery is flat.  Speak to your service provider about the best option for you.

Police, Ambulance, Fire (EMERGENCY)      000

Councils' 24hour/7 day a week Security Service   1300 653 643

Police (Not urgent)     131 3444

Crimestoppers  1800 333 000

HOW TO REPORT ASSAULT

If you have been assaulted, call the police as soon as possible.

If you have been physically or sexually assaulted, PLEASE DO NOT WASH, SHOWER, CHANGE CLOTHES OR CLEAN UP IN ANY WAY.  This will destroy vital evidence that could catch the culprit.

You will be asked to give a clear account of what happened, so do not take anything that could alter your perceptions like drugs, alcohol or tranquillisers.

DON'T FORGET - IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT, YOU HAVE NO NEED TO FEEL GUILTY OR ASHAMED.  By reporting the assault you may not only help yourself but you will be protecting others.

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You have a right to defend yourself in an attack.  But remember. the law does not allow the carrying anything described as a weapon.  Normal things such as walking sticks, keys, bags or even umbrellas is not classified as a weapon as they are normally used by you.  Be careful the offender doesn't take hold of the item and use it against you.

Personal alarms and whistles not held on a string around your neck are better to use as they cannot be used as a weapon against you.

It is impossible to know what you will do if you are attacked.  A lot of things control what influences you.  You may have had an extra drink or two, you might not be feeling well, you may be already feeling agitated, so your actions will vary, you may run, freeze, argue or fight.

• Keep in mind whether they are Armed or heavy built!
• Can you fight them off easily?
• Is there help around?

If you feel threatened but are not being attacked, try to reason with the offender.  Keep them talking and look for a chance to escape.

If you are being threatened, attract attention if you can by screaming, shouting or activating your personal alarm.   If you are being assaulted fight back with anything you can get your hands on - use keys or an umbrella to help fight off your attacker.

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•  Use a well lit shelter near other commuters if possible.
•  Use a timetable to minimise waiting times.
•  Don't sit alone.
•  Sit where the driver or other passengers can see you.

• Use EPTPOS or Credit card to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Do not carry signed withdrawl forms with your bank book in your bag.
• Never leave bags or personal items in your shopping trolley.
• Carry your money separately from your bag, use a money pouch or a pocket.
• Use ATM's inside shopping centres if possible.
• Always check who is around before using ATM's

TIP:  Consider the type of bag you use and how you carry it.  A small hand held bag with a zip is excellent as you can hold it in front of you closely.  A thief would have find it difficult to take it from you.