Source : Perth Now news
Canning residents could receive up to $5000 in cash rewards as an incentive to report crimes such as vandalism and property damage around the city.
Mayor Patrick Hall presented a motion to council in February allowing the city to reward members of the public who provide information that leads to a successful prosecution for several offences. These include wilful damage to local trees, illegal rubbish dumping, deliberate damage to city buildings, graffiti and illegal off-road vehicle activity.
The motion was unanimously supported by councillors, and a draft policy will be presented for adoption at next week’s ordinary meeting.
An officer’s report said the Reward for Information Resulting in Successful Prosecution policy aims to “deter illegal activity” and protect community assets.
“Adoption of the policy is expected to encourage community reporting, improve evidence gathering for prosecutions, deter future offending, and demonstrate council’s visible commitment to protecting community assets and neighbourhood amenity,” it said.
“Should council not approve the policy, the city will have no formal mechanism to incentivise community reporting of vandalism, graffiti and property damage, reducing the likelihood of offenders being identified and prosecuted.
“This may result in continued or increased incidents of damage to city property and trees, higher repair and replacement costs to ratepayers, and a missed opportunity to reinforce council’s visible commitment to community safety and asset protection.”
Mr Hall initially proposed residents receive up to $10,000 as a reward, but other councillors raised concerns over the high cost and lack of financial cap.
The draft policy recommends a maximum of $5000 per reward, and $20,000 total per annum. Once the $20,000 fund has been exhausted, there will be no further rewards paid in that financial year.
Mr Hall said at the February meeting that residents were increasingly frustrated by “minor” criminal behaviours – such as tree vandalism and hoons driving unlicensed motorbikes through residential areas – not facing consequences.
“The reality is police across the State simply don’t have the resources available to them anymore to fully investigate offences which are important to our community but, on the scale of criminality, are incredibly minor,” he said.
“They are no longer going to send detectives and a forensic team to investigate damaged trees. They’re not going to conduct a door-knock, ask for CCTV; in fact, in most instances they may not attend at all.
“That’s not a criticism of police, it is just a recognition that crime has escalated and the priority for some of these offences is so low police just cannot investigate them.”
Mr Hall said the community had been pushing the local government to do more, and he hoped the rewards scheme would assist with evidence-gathering.
Reward applications and payments will be considered and approved by chief executive officer Michael Littleton. The amount will consider the level of damage and monetary value of the damage that has been caused. It will not exceed the maximum penalty associated with the relevant offence.
Rewards cannot be paid to elected members, city employees or their immediate families.
Councillors will vote on the policy at the August 18 meeting.
