BANKSTOWN police dropped into Bass Hill Plaza last Friday to meet with local business people, shopkeepers and residents as part of its community engagement program. The gathering, which included Bankstown Commander Superintendent Adam Johnson, several police officers, Mayor Khal Asfour, Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce CEO Wally Mehanna and several local businesses, was the first of many, with similar events to be held at various locations and CBDs across the Command.
Supt Johnson, who took up the role almost 12 months ago and has been a police officer for 32 years, including a stint with Bankstown detectives two decades ago, is encouraging the community to interact with police – “there is absolutely no reason for law abiding citizens to be afraid of doing so”.
He says positive community interactions far outweigh the negative ones.
“We are here to support and protect you,” he said.
“Community engagement and high visibility policing is a focus of mine in an effort to ensure crime rates remain low and people feel safe.”
Over the years Supt Johnson has been involved in responding to and investigating crimes where he has seen “the best and worst in people”, but something he’s always been conscious of is the need to properly support people who have become victims of crime.
Domestic Violence and supporting Victims of Crime continues to and always will be a main focus of the NSWPF and a priority for the Superintendent.
“Domestic Violence cannot be tolerated in any form and we as a community need to work together to ensure people are protected,” he said.
“I ask that you please reach out to us if you are subject to or aware of domestic violence occurring.
“Prevention and disruption work will also continue to be a focus across the command, with numerous policing strategies to stop criminals committing crimes, as well as diversion of young people away from the Criminal Justice System is and will remain a priority within this area. We need to get on the front foot with our kids and help them make good life decisions.”
With property offences such as break and enter, stolen motor vehicles and stealing crimes remaining low, Supt Johnson intends to keep it that way by continuing to adopt crime reduction strategies such as targeting known offenders.
Speaking in relation to warring gangs, he says that unfortunately, there are a small number of criminals who live within our community who continue to engage in serious criminal behaviour, predominantly against one another, however Bankstown is working in partnership with a number of surrounding and specialist commands such as State Crime Command, Strike Force Raptor and the Public Order and Riot Squad, to address these issues.
Full of praise for his officers, Supt Johnson said Bankstown police have always had a strong reputation and positive culture.
“They work hard to protect the community and the results I see on a daily basis are testament to their consistent tenacity,” he said.