Ellenbrook and The Vines residents say ‘yes’ to continuing security patrol

RESIDENTS of Ellenbrook and The Vines have voted to keep security patrols, following a community survey that showed support for the patrols.

City of Swan Mayor Mick Wainwright said the City had extended the current contract with Accord Security for another two years.

“This service is funded through a levy to ratepayers in the areas covered by the patrols and a contribution from the land developers,” he said.

“There have been patrols in these areas for more than 12 years and every two years we go back to the local community to ask them if they still want this service.”

Ellenbrook ward councillor Cate McCullough said the results of the survey – sent to all property owners in suburbs covered by the patrols – showed strong support to continue the service.

“In Ellenbrook, 8772 surveys were sent out and of these 2111 were returned,” she said.

“From the returned surveys, 66.3 per cent of households wanted the patrols to continue and were prepared to pay a levy for them.

“In The Vines, we sent out 1833 surveys and received 709 responses, with 80.7 per cent of these voting ‘yes’.

“This means the two vehicles in Ellenbrook and one in The Vines will continue to patrol these areas 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Cr Wainwright said the City provided a number (9278 9696) that residents can call at any hour of the day and immediately reach officers in the mobile patrol vehicles.

“These security personnel will attend most incidents that are reported to them or communicate with police on issues raised with them,” he said.

“The patrols are tasked with reporting antisocial behaviour, graffiti, vandalism and any suspicious activity in the area.

“Patrol officers do not have the power to lay charges but have established contacts with local police and seek police attendance where required.”

The patrols provide extra “eyes and ears” to assist police.

The vehicles have tracking capabilities and are fitted with GPS enabled dash cams.

Any footage provided to the police can be used as evidence and assist in investigations.

Ellenbrook residents pay a levy of $100 per property and The Vines residents pay a levy of $150 per property for this service.

Ellenbrook Management Pty Ltd, as the major developer in Ellenbrook, also provides a contribution towards the cost of this service.