An initiative of the Armidale Aboriginal community to assist young people to get home safely at night has been picked up by Council.
The program, known as the Foot Patrol, ran for a year but then folded when it was originally established in 1995. It recommenced in 1998 operating under the auspices of the Aboriginal Legal Service and Council.
Volunteers, both Aboriginal and non Aboriginal, staff the program, operating in three teams each comprising a male and female adult. Two of the teams operate on the street while the third staffs the bus, which transports young people to their homes or another safe place.
Manager Community Services Annaliese Strietman said the volunteers receive training in first aid and their own safety and protection. They adopt a non threatening approach, leaving young people who wish to ‘hang out’ to do so, but encouraging them to let volunteers know when they are ready to go home.
The bus is provided by a local company at half cost and is restricted to non intoxicated youth under 18 years of age. Annaliese Strietman said the program has good support from the police.
“There is a perception that young people roaming the streets can lead to vandalism,” she said. “While this is not necessarily happening, the Foot Patrol can nonetheless act as a source of crime prevention.”
Currently the bus runs on Fridays between 9.30 pm and 4.00 am but it is planned to extend the service to Thursday and Saturday nights depending on the availability of volunteers.
For further information contact Annaliese Strietman, telephone (02) 6770 3600
