I just want to acknowledge the new West Australian legislation that’s been introduced regarding assaults against retail workers. (Link provided for anyone unfamiliar with it https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook-Labor-Government/New-laws-to-protect-retail-workers-and-businesses-from-crime-20240702

People are continuing to shoplift and assault retailers because they can get away with it. Tougher penalties were needed, however these laws are only good if; 
1-the police attend and make arrests. 
2-The magistrates do their part and use the new legislation in their entirety. 

I started this petition to show that this was not only my opinion or the opinion of a minority, it’s the opinion of the majority. Over 4000 signatures is evidence to this. 

With recent media releases, I feel they have not given the entirety of what is happening and only snippets are being released. There has also been misinformation given to the public by other parties. 

Facts: 
-There have been 2 fights involving knives and 1 involving a hammer at 1 centre in the past 12 months. 
-Security have seen 150% increase in incident reports in the last 12 months alone. 
-Majority of the offenders are repeat offenders. 
-Offenders range in age and demographic. 
-Police are not attending or there is a disproportionate amount of time lapsed from when reports are made to police attendance. 
-Police have not been working with retailers or security and actively patrolling known risk areas. 
-Company’s are putting people’s health and safety at risk by refusing to have extra staff on duty. 
-A percentage of the anti social behaviour occurring is domestic violence.
-Majority of the public feel unsafe when shopping at any of the centres or in the CBD. 
-A very large percentage, if not all of retail workers feel unsafe at work. 
-Approximately 5-6 days every week I witness violent acts in our town centre.  
-In the last week alone, 2 out of 3 calls to police have gone unanswered.

The basic message that this petition is wanting to get across… 

• We need a regular, uniformed police presence at our shopping centres and in the CBD. 
• Legislation changes with increased penalties to offenders that assault and/threaten retailers. Higher penalties imposed on shoplifters and/or repeat offenders ✅
• Legislation changes to make it compulsory that security guards are on duty in pairs- regardless of location or venue. 
• Changes to the way banning notices are issued. 

I want to know where is the crime prevention team? 
If patrols are being done already like it has been stated, then as a contributing member of the community and a retailer I am wanting to know when and where these patrols occurred? 
What are the staffing numbers at the Geraldton police station or perhaps a re-assessment of staff management is required? 
Where are the liaison officers? 
Where is the PCYC encouraging our youth to engage in activities and programs? 
Why are the police not responding or investigating to reports being made? 
Does it usually take 3 weeks to respond to a criminal damage report? 
Why would retailers and security need training on making a report/call for assistance to police when they are public servants, trained to respond? (That is like telling a victim of domestic violence that police can’t attend because it hasn’t been reported properly. Hang up and try again, press 2 instead of 4 🙄) 
If there is going to be more police presence then provide more information, what is the timeline of this and in what capacity? 
Is our local Labor government still local? Is anyone there? 

Get back to basics, put 2 security guards on duty at all times. 

Have the crime prevention team doing regular, ongoing patrols and checking in with retailers. 

Those 2 things would be a great start and I believe by doing that a change will be noticed. 

We need proactive policing not reactive.