Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, caught up with members of the Briagolong RSL, Andrew Harwood, Trevor Gartung and Scott Wilkinson for a chat at the Briagolong RSL Log Cabin last week.  The club is a recent recipient of a $1,273 Community Safety Fund grant to upgrade security at the log cabin.

RSL Log Cabin will receive $1,273 for a new security system thanks to the latest round of the State Government’s Community Safety Fund.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, visited the RSL last week and heard that the facility has in the past been a target for break ins.

"To be able to assist the RSL Sub-Branch improve its security is certainly welcomed. They are a great bunch of fellas and it was great to sit down and chew the fat over a cup of tea."

Mr Bull said the Coalition Government was supporting communities to fund local crime prevention initiatives that will deliver safer, more connected communities.

“Effective crime prevention requires residents, communities, businesses and all levels of government to work together,” Mr Bull said.

“Everyone needs to play their part, and we can all take some simple steps to secure our own property and get involved in local community action to help drive down crime,” he said.

Another local community group to receive funding in this round of grants is the Coongulla Hall Committee which received $4,466 to install a security system at the Coongulla Hall to prevent further break-ins.

Minister for Crime Prevention, Edward O’Donohue, said the Coalition Government’s Community Crime Prevention Program is about facilitating local solutions for local problems.

“Local communities know the community safety problems they are experiencing and know what the solutions are,” Mr O’Donohue said.

Mr Bull said the Community Safety Fund supports local communities to implement practical projects to deter crime and promote safety.

“Community safety projects come in many different forms, from installing security features to undertaking community awareness activities,” Mr Bull said.

“Over the past three years, the Coalition Government has provided more than $3.8 million to fund 588 projects across the state through the Community Safety Fund.”

The grants are part of the Government’s $35 million Community Crime Prevention Program, which helps promote community safety and prevent crime in communities across Victoria.

Mr O’Donohue also noted that a frontbench reshuffle by Daniel Andrews late last year saw the crime prevention portfolio removed from the shadow ministry.

“There could be no starker indication of how little Labor cares about community safety and crime prevention,” Mr O’Donohue said.

For further information, visit www.crimeprevention.vic.gov.au