A safe community is a place that is attractive to live, work and visit. A safe community is a liveable community, where people can go about their daily activities in an environment without fear, risk of harm or injury. Perceptions of community safety, real or perceived, impact on the way people feel and interact in their community. Community safety is not only about reducing and preventing injury and crime: it is about building strong, cohesive, vibrant, participatory communities.
Related documents:
- Safe in the South Overview November 2020
- Terms of Reference Safe in the South – 2019
- Safe in the South Strategy 2016-19
- The International Safe Communities application December 2015
- Safe Communities Initial Report January 2015
How we are involved in Safe Communities
Invercargill City Council is a member or Safe in the South, an accredited International Safe Community. Organisations and agencies throughout Southland are working together and taking a coordinated approach to improve community safety in Southland. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the Safe Community model as an important mechanism for promoting the implementation of evidence-based action for the prevention of violence and injuries. Our status was made possible by an outstanding collaboration of community partners, agencies and organisations focused on achieving a common goal.
The coalition is run by a Governance Group made up of representatives from a wide variety of community agencies, and has committed to providing leadership, advice and support for the Safe Communities programme. The partner agencies are:
- Invercargill City Council
- Southland District Council
- Gore District Council
- ACC
- Emergency Management Southland
- Southland Chamber of Commerce
- Iwi
- Fire and Emergency
- Police
- Oranga Tamariki
- Public Health South
Our community was awarded International Community Status in 2016, which made us a member of the Safe Communities network in New Zealand and a wider Pan-Pacific region. This is an active and extensive network which shares the latest information and research and best practice examples. The Safe Communities model is a way to identify and respond to the key community safety priorities for the Southland District. We are a coalition that provides a mechanism for the community to work together to maximise resources and expertise.
To find out more email Jayne McAllister, Safe Communities Coordinator jayne.mcallister@cdsouthland.nz 027 2176280
