Say NO to City of Melbourne's plan to criminalise vulnerable people
Say NO to City of Melbourne's plan to criminalise vulnerable people
The issue
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service along with Victorian community legal centres, stakeholders, outreach and support services have raised concerns about the decision to extend and embed City of Melbourne Council's “Community Safety Team” and expand their “Safe City Camera Program”. They have allocated $4.1 million in their 2025/26 budget to establish this program, a blatant shortsighted approach to complex social problems.
The trial’s aim of addressing “complex on street issues such as public consumption of alcohol, begging and antisocial behaviour in the community” through move-on directions and infringements is akin to criminalising poverty. We hold fundamental reservations as to the lawfulness of authorised officers having the power to issue move-on directions under local laws.
Fitzroy Legal Service’s case studies reveal abhorrent, aggressive behaviour of the Crownland Security guards who were employed for the trial period, commencing in March 2025, working alongside local law officers. They have been reported removing people’s belongings, threatening and intimidating their safety and moving them on without adequate powers or authority. It is incredibly concerning that this approach has been deemed appropriate and attributed to the success of the trial.
We understand the City of Melbourne also intends to introduce AI and facial recognition technology in its expanded Safe City Camera Program. This is deeply concerning and lacks any evidence base for its impact on community safety. Many international studies and reports raise the alarm for racial profiling and disproportionate impacts on people of colour when security cameras use facial recognition. We also hold concerns about the privacy of data, how it will be collected, stored and for how long, and any potential privacy breaches.
In supporting this petition you are calling on the City of Melbourne to immediately cease the private security program, committing to invest in evidence-based reforms and support services which address the root causes of complex social issues.
1,725
The issue
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service along with Victorian community legal centres, stakeholders, outreach and support services have raised concerns about the decision to extend and embed City of Melbourne Council's “Community Safety Team” and expand their “Safe City Camera Program”. They have allocated $4.1 million in their 2025/26 budget to establish this program, a blatant shortsighted approach to complex social problems.
The trial’s aim of addressing “complex on street issues such as public consumption of alcohol, begging and antisocial behaviour in the community” through move-on directions and infringements is akin to criminalising poverty. We hold fundamental reservations as to the lawfulness of authorised officers having the power to issue move-on directions under local laws.
Fitzroy Legal Service’s case studies reveal abhorrent, aggressive behaviour of the Crownland Security guards who were employed for the trial period, commencing in March 2025, working alongside local law officers. They have been reported removing people’s belongings, threatening and intimidating their safety and moving them on without adequate powers or authority. It is incredibly concerning that this approach has been deemed appropriate and attributed to the success of the trial.
We understand the City of Melbourne also intends to introduce AI and facial recognition technology in its expanded Safe City Camera Program. This is deeply concerning and lacks any evidence base for its impact on community safety. Many international studies and reports raise the alarm for racial profiling and disproportionate impacts on people of colour when security cameras use facial recognition. We also hold concerns about the privacy of data, how it will be collected, stored and for how long, and any potential privacy breaches.
In supporting this petition you are calling on the City of Melbourne to immediately cease the private security program, committing to invest in evidence-based reforms and support services which address the root causes of complex social issues.
1,725
Supporter voices
Petition created on 6 October 2025