EVALUATION OF NIGHT PATROL COMMUNITY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS 

1. Introduction

Overview of the Issue

Indigenous Australians encountered issues related to social well-being, crime and security. This is evident from the report that they are about 29 times more likely to be affected by social violence and get hospitalised by assaults than non-indigenous (AIHW, 2004). This issue is also exaggerated by the evidence from “The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare”, that 24% of adult Indigenous people in 2017–18 had been the victim of physical assault within the previous 12 months (Tulich et al., 2020).

Purpose of the Analysis

●    To assess how effectively night patrol programs assist in reducing these issues, enhance community safety, and promote social cohesion among Australian Indigenous.

Introduction to the Program

Night patrol programs are community service and crime prevention programs that assist needy people at night to prevent risks (Blagg, 2003). They are functional to design strategies that will decrease crime and enhance the spirit of society.

Background Information

Night patrols in Indigenous Australia both in rural and urban locations, provide safety, peacekeeping, and injury avoidance. In the 1980s, these patrols took place and provided transportation, conflict resolution, and assisted local law enforcement (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2004). They typically respond to the distinctive needs of the community and involve citizens with a strong connection to the area.

Thesis or Research Question

To what extent may night patrol programs help Australian Indigenous communities be more secure and experience a decrease in crime?

2. Policy Context and Background 

In-depth Background Information

“Encounter violence” is one of three key challenges currently encountered by Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander populations (AIH, 2024). It has been noted that not only social violence, but they are also increasingly affected by domestic violence as compared to non-indigenous with an increased hospitalisation rate, as depicted in the following Figure. 

 
Figure 1: Community violence and assault rates among Australian Indigenous
(Source: Indigenoushpf, 2024)

Historical Development

Night patrol services commenced in Australia in the 1980s with one of the first services being the Julalikari Night Patrol in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2004). These programs were to meet the safety needs of Indigenous people by integrating secure culturally aligned ways of crime control along with community support initiatives.

At the beginning of night patrolling, it was all about bringing social harmony with the prevention, investigation, and conflict resolution supported by local lawsuits. It was offering protection for women, and children (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2004). The concept gradually disseminated in other areas of Australia, appearing diverse, meeting Indigenous communities’ needs, and developing a network of street patrolling, community patrolling, and Tele-calling assistance services.

Context of Implementation

This program is implemented both in rural and urban settings targeting particular problems in the regions. In remote areas, patrols are aimed at addressing conflict and violent occurrences. When in urban areas they targeted the homeless and youths (Scott et al., 2021). The programs are specific in addressing the voids in a proper policing force and public services to prevent crime.

Stakeholders

Accomplishing regional knowledge and cultural insights, the key stakeholders of this program are Australian Indigenous people. Local police and funding organisations at the local level provide support to the patrols concerning societal security (Blagg, 2003).

Indigenous communities are involved through non-profit organisations and Indigenous representative agencies who participate in funding, sourcing equipment and promoting the goals of this program (AIHW, 2024). All the stakeholders’ main concern is to mitigate violence and boost the socio-cultural development of Indigenous peoples.

3. Program Goals and Objectives 

Goal

Night patrol programs aim to enhance community safety and well-being within Australian Indigenous communities.
Objectives
●    To prevent and address incidents of social and domestic violence
●    To provide secure transportation for individuals at risk, including intoxicated persons and youth.
●    To support police with conflict resolution and community interactions.
●    To promote community ties and foster a sense of safety and belonging. 

Clarity and Coherence

This program has been implemented with a clear and coherent agenda. Safety concerns and community welfare, are targeted, encompassing the present and future conditions, at micro and macro levels. The objectives are coherent with a common goal of risk mitigation and safety promotion. However, simultaneously having such wide-reaching objectives from safety to social inclusion may sometimes entail difficulties with the goals’ prioritisation.

Potential Conflicts

This is possible to observe the incompatibility of the goals. For example, efforts to help law enforcement may occasionally find difficulties if community residents view patrols as a manifestation of police activities instead of supportive partners. In this case, though its target is to reduce crime, it can be difficult to manage.

Cost-Effectiveness

Night patrol programs are typically viewed as a cost-efficient initiative. For instance, research conducted by the “Australian Institute of Criminology” in 2004 addressed that the act of night patrols in the Northern Territory significantly minimised violence where estimated costs of about AUD 100,000 per year per patrol (AIC, 2004). In contrast, policing and social services for similar issues could be much more costly.

4. Program Implementation 

Implementation in Practice

Night patrols are programs carried out by different community-based patrols during nighttime. They often incorporate local Indigenous staff who are experienced in controlling Indigenous barriers to violence, Safe Transport, and security (Georg & Manning, 2022). Financial grants from the government and the local community support these programs. 

Challenges and Barriers

●    An unpredictable availability of funding which in a way impacts patrols. 
●    Issues in recruiting and maintaining volunteers, especially in the demonstration zones (Scott et al., 2021). 
●    Concerning patrols with the community and relations with the local police may be challenging to navigate since some people may perceive the patrols as police operatives (Blagg & Anthony, 2014).

Effectiveness of Strategies

Night Patrolling Program has been established they lower rates of violence and increase safety in society. The local and trusted individuals assist in gaining the trust of the community and making patrols sensitive to the community’s requirements (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2004). However, sustaining funding and securing the burnout of volunteers are important considerations in the future. Based on communal experience, it is easier to assess the effectiveness and sharpen the strategies employed in these aspects.

5. Program Outcomes and Impacts 

Outcomes and Impacts

●     Prevent violence and increase safety within the Indigenous regions.
●    This assists in emergency risk situations, promotes problem-solving and offers a safe journey at night time.

Achievement of Goals

In some instances, a decrease in violent activities and hospitalisation of victims of assaults committed against Indigenous Australians appears to demonstrate that night patrols are producing the necessary effect (Australian Crime Statistics, 2024).

 
Figure 2: Decreased crime rate in Australia
(Source: Australian Crime Statistics, 2024)

Unintended Consequences

Some patrol members of the community act like agency employees of the police, which complicates the situation. Moreover, fluctuations in funding and frequent changes in volunteers weaken patrol systems due to the absence of a continuous and stable operation (Blagg & Anthony, 2014).

Attribution

Some key factors related to social services and police work are necessary however, the strategies of night patrols operate on a focused, community level, and are therefore responsible for prevention and reductions observed.

6. Policy Alternatives 

Alternative Policy Options

Table 1: Alternative Initiatives of the Night Patrol Programme
(Source: Self-developed)

Potential Trade-offs

➢    Community Safety Officers provide for emergency safety but it needs higher cost and possibly isolating the community.
➢    Social Services help children, families, and communities with long-term assistance. However, it requires greater capital investments and time-taking to show effectiveness. 

7. Recommendations 

As per the identified possible barriers, Night patrol programs should take fair and sustainable funding and volunteer enlistment plans. Professional development of the patrol staff and building relations with the community police can further boost trust and efficiency (Watson, 2017).

The inclusion of mental health and substance abuse services will offer a solution to identifying the cause of violence apart from confinement. It has been shown that night patrols have effectively helped in decreasing violent cases and enhancing security, though such positive effects can only be maintained through more stable resources and public engagement (Watson, 2017). Such measures are expected to improve program efficiency and sustainability in the future.

8. Conclusion 

Based on the aforementioned discussion, night patrol programs help in the reduction of violence and increase safety within Australian Indigenous communities. Thus, such programs boost a transparent initiative to deal with crime with culturally suitable, community-based approaches. However, some of the evident issues are competition for funds and recruiting adequate volunteers. 

This humanities assignment study is about analysing the effectiveness of night patrols in increasing the security of communities, identifying threats, and stressing the necessity of support and cooperation with social services. These are achieved through extensive research here.

A weakness of this research might be a lack of longitudinal data to evaluate the effectiveness of the night patrol program’s duration and sustainability. Future studies should explore extended effects and ways of dealing with its operational challenges by considering enhancing program duration and efficiency.
 

Top Humanities Samples

References

AIHW, (2024), Injury of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples due to transport, 2001-02 to 2005-06, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/indigenous-peoples-transport-2001-01-2005-06/contents/executive-summary#:~:text=On%20a%20population%20basis%2C%20Indigenous,to%2010%20per%20100%2C000%20population).
Australian Crime Statistics, (March 8, 2024) General Crime Data in Australia, https://accumulate.com.au/australian-crime-statistics/
Australian Institute of Criminology, (2004, August 5), Night patrols. Australian Institute of Criminology. https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/crm/crm26
Beacroft, L., Richards, K., Andrevski, H., & Rosevear, L. (2011). Community night patrols in the Northern Territory: Toward an improved performance and reporting framework. Australian Institute of Criminology. http://www.aic.gov.au/en/publications/current%20series/tbp/41-60/tbp047.aspx
Blagg H., (2003), An Overview of Night Patrol Services in Australia, Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra. https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20140208115843/http://www.crimeprevention.gov.au/Publications/FamilyViolence/Documents/Night_Patrol.htm
Blagg, H., & Anthony, T. (2014). 'If those old women catch you, you're going to cop it': night patrols, Indigenous women, and place-based sovereignty in outback Australia. In African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies: AJCJS: Vol. Vol.8 (Issue Special Issue 1). http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/UTSLRS/2014/22.pdf
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Georg, S., & Manning, M. (2022). Safety in Indigenous communities: Identifying gaps and opportunities in Australian crime prevention policy. Policy Studies, 43(2), 144-163.  https://doi.org/10.1080/01442872.2019.1606902
Indigenoushpf, (2024), Community safety, https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/2-10-community-safety
Scott, J., Sims, M., Cooper, T., & Barclay, E. (2021). Night Patrols. In Crossroads of Rural Crime (pp. 45-60). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80043-644-220211004
Tulich, T., May, S., Blagg, H., & Hovane, V. (2020). Understanding the role of Law and Culture in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in responding to and preventing family violence. ANROWS. https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/bitstream/1/20336/1/Blagg-RR-LawCulture_1.pdf
Watson, I. (2017). Aboriginal laws and colonial foundation. Griffith Law Review, 26(4), 469-479. https://doi.org/10.1080/10383441.2018.1539893