South West Superintendent Geoff Stewart will be providing Mail readers with a monthly column on regional crime issues.
This month, he explains why community is important to the work police do.
We are indeed fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the world.
What is one threat to this apart from natural disasters or emergencies?
It's the individuals who choose to inflict pain on others by committing crimes against the person or property.
I put these individuals into two categories.
The ones doing it because they see they have no other course of action in the circumstances they are in and those doing it because they would rather commit crime than be a decent law-abiding citizen.
Basically, it's easier to be bad than good.
They are both at different ends or in between of the spectrum of offending and what this means is the community, not just the police, have a challenge in helping them.
Helping them, not just locking them up.
People who commit crime just need help.
Help to get them back on track to a healthier and more productive environment and when this happens, they can thrive again, their families can thrive and ultimately, the community thrives.
This takes a lot of work, not just by the police but so many other partner agencies and organisations.
We are all on the frontline, picking people up, dusting them down and helping them.
Basically, it's easier to be bad than good.
- Geoff Stewart
If we don't, the community suffers and it is no longer a great place to live.
Do not mistake this as being soft.
Taking away someone's liberty is a necessity in some circumstances, not only for the offender but the victim/s of crime, their families, the family of the offender and the community.
From a police point of view, we will continue to target and go after those that cause extreme pain.
We will be relentless in the pursuit and I am proud of the results we continue to achieve in that regard right across the South West.
We are only as strong as the community we serve. How do we keep on top of things?
When something happens the police should know about, do not think somebody else will call. Make the call, as it happens or when assistance is sought.
Remember, you are somebody.
