Minister visit puts community safety issues in the spotlight

Published on 12 July 2024

Police Minister Paul Papalia visited Broome last week and spent time at the Shire offices, where he discussed community safety matters with CEO Sam Mastrolembo, Director Development Keith Williams, and Shire President Chris Mitchell, who was on video link from Perth, where he was attending the WALGA State Council.

Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna, WAPOL Acting Assistant Commissioner Brad Sorrell, and Acting Commander Steve Thompson also attended.

The meeting was an opportunity for the Shire to raise several local priorities, including police numbers, the Broome Custodial Facility, the location of the Kimberley District Police Support Facility, crime statistics and reporting, streetlight funding, and CCTV issues.

After the meeting, Minister Papalia and the rest of the delegation attended the Broome Liquor Accord Meeting.

Shire President Mitchell thanked the Minister for taking the time to discuss the Shire’s concerns and proposals.

“The 2024 Community Scorecard again showed Community Safety is the number one concern for Broome residents, so it was a good opportunity to remind the State Government of this.

“The Minister confirmed that more police are being sent to the region and wants the Shire and WAPOL to collaborate for things such as sourcing funding to improve CCTV around town.

“I am confident that, through such collaboration and continued advocacy by the Shire and other organisations in Broome, there will be more positive outcomes regarding local crime prevention and community safety.

📷 Acting Commander Steve Thompson, Shire CEO Sam Mastrolembo, Divina D’Anna MLA, Police Minister Paul Papalia, Shire Director Development Keith Williams and Acting Assistant Commissioner Brad Sorrell.