Maningrida launches community safety action plan signage

The Maningrida community came together along with the Deputy Commissioner Jaime Chaulker APM on Thursday, November 24 tor the Community Safety Action Plan signage launch.

An important step was taken in Maningrida on Thursday, November 24 with the signing of the Maningrida Community Safety Action Plan.
Deputy Commissioner Jamie Chalker APM attended the launch which was a significant step in the Community Safety Action Plan (CSAP) process.
The signing of the CSAP sign enters the signatories into a contract of agreeance; that is, those that sign it are committed to working together with the police, the community and other service providers to make the community safe and resilient.
The CSAP defines four key priorities, including mutual respect and working in partnership, reducing domestic and family violence (including the abuse and neglect of children), reducing substance abuse; and improving community amenity.
The wording on the signs under each priority was derived from conversations with Aboriginal people, and in essence, the wording is from community members for community members (not from outside influences pushing messages in).
This creates a real sense of ownership from the community.
Superintendent Daniel Shean said, in discussion with community elders and traditional owners at Maningrida, they see the signage as a positive step forward in sending the clear message that the community wants to live safely and peacefully and that everyone in community needs to respect the rights of others to live safely and peacefully in the community.
“From those that I spoke to, there was a genuine sense of happiness that the signs had finally come into fruition; some asked for the signs to be made larger and placed in prominent locations such as the airstrip and access roads,” he said.
“It was an honour to see the traditional owners and elders at the launch; it highlighted the importance that they place on living in a safe community.”
The CSAP signage is now being rolled out to 60 communities across the Northern Territory.