A police campaign targeting city crime had been "robbing Peter to pay Paul" on patrol strength elsewhere, despite a series of arrests, the federal police association says.
The City Safe campaign, which began on July 8, was established as a short-term operation to address and deter criminal and anti-social activity in Civic and surrounding areas. It racked up 45 arrests and 59 cautions or move-on notices during July.
The focus was on establishing a high-visibility police presence after businesses in the city area had complained of anti-social behaviour, public drinking and other issues.
Among those arrested or issued with move-on directions - which, if breached, may result in arrest - the alleged offences included assault, theft, fighting in a public place, possessing a knife in a public place, possessing stolen property, defacing public property, drinking in a public place, and breaching good behaviour orders.
A further six people were lodged into protective custody at the ACT Watch House or taken to the sobering up shelter to ensure their safety due to their level of intoxication.
City Safe had been "stood up" by the police after a group of businesspeople had collaborated to lobby Police Minister Mick Gentleman for more proactive patrols. Cre8tive agency CEO James Willson, whose business is right in the heart of Petrie Plaza, expressed concern that anti-social behaviour was deterring people from coming into the city at night.
To deliver the patrol strength required, police were rotated in from other zones, which federal police association president Alex Caruana said was a clear example of how with insufficient overall numbers, "when a specific operation is set up, they [the police executive] have no choice but to rob Peter to pay Paul".
"The City Safe operation was a really good demonstration of what happens when you can focus police resources on a problem and get on top of it but the flipside to that is there's no choice but to draw down on patrol strength in places like Woden and Belconnen, where the team strength is already thin," he said.
"If general duties patrols were up to full strength in their zones across the territory, there would be less need for these special operations.
"You have to ask: once this operation stops, how soon do the problems return?"
Detective acting Superintendent of Canberra's North District, Dave Craft, said the campaign was an effective deterrent to city crime and anti-social behaviour, and offered an opportunity for police to engage with local businesses and the community.
"We enjoyed the conversations with business owners and we will look to continue to seek their feedback on issues they observe," he said..
"While the operation has ended, we are reminding people that ACT Policing has dedicated general duties, Territory Targeting Team and criminal investigations teams focused on ensuring the safety of everyone in their district."
