Safe City

Safe City

On the beautiful and bustling streets of The Rocks, a few blocks away from circular quay, I came across this sign saying, “Street safety cameras have been installed in this area.” Although it is not unusual for a city to have safety cameras, I was curious to find out what exactly the Safe City initiative was, and if it is indicative of a larger cultural phenomenon.

            When coming to Sydney, I had not heard much about safety concerns, more than the hackneyed phrase that Australia is home to the most deadly animals in the world. In terms of crime, however, I was not sure what to expect. I had not heard of pickpockets being a large issue, or gun violence having a prevalent presence here. Perhaps it is because of a certain public campaign such as the Safe City, but more likely the community concern for safety reaches into the values of Sydney citizens. 

            The Safe City program focuses on several aspects of public safety, including safe alcohol usage, syringe management, street surveillance in high crime areas, and using educational promotional materials to spread awareness. This program claims to have considerably reduced theft and dangerous activities through the various facets of the initiative. As I read more about it online (see works consulted section) I have become more convinced that it is part of a larger cultural trend of safety because there are several other examples or programs that seem to be similar, including rules on alcohol and gun control. A few years ago, the New South Wales government outlined regulations in the Kings Cross area to curb dangerous drinking. Patrons can now only order a few drinks at a time after midnight, and even fewer after 2am. Shots are also banned, as well as doubles. These are all in response to a death due to alcohol, and are hoped to prevent future incidents. In terms of gun control, the Australian government banned automatic and semiautomatic weapons in response to one mass shooting and has not had one since. This could be coincidence, or a direct result of the gun control legislation.

            All of these examples seem very foreign to an American, as I could never imagine some of these policies being implemented in the United States. Our statistics mirror that sentiment, as none of the cities in America could claim to be as safe or have as low crime rates as that of Sydney. The biggest question that follows, naturally, is why? Of course, there are countless reasons that all intersect to create the urban environment that Sydney is today. During my brief time here though, an interconnected idea of community seems prevalent within the local people. Everyone seems to be generally very laid back in nature, and their ideology of a classless system also contributes to a theme of community. Perhaps either this sense of unity feeds the drive for a collective safe city, or alternatively the two have common moral or civil impetuses. I am not very familiar with Australia’s legislative system, but it is possible that some characteristic of it makes these types of regulations easier to pass in Australia than through the American government.

            While all of these concepts seem like a beneficial installation, some feedback seems to be that this is becoming a nanny state. The formation of a point of view on this opposition broils down to a person’s ideology of how involved government should be in individual lives. Local Sydney, generally, seems to rather have the government put more restrictions in place in order to maintain safety. Perhaps in the United States, the most prevalent viewpoint would rather have more personal freedoms than protective measures, although it seems to be a large debate recently in terms of gun control or an Apple backdoor. I personally believe that Sydney’s precautions and dedication to the greater good results in a generally better well-being of the average citizen.

            Of course, despite all of this, it would be naïve to assume that because Sydney has all of these safety features, it is a completely safe city. Many travel websites instruct visitors and locals to always travel in groups and be aware of their surroundings, as we should for the duration of our trip. I am, however, fascinated by this and hopeful that other populations may follow this trend.

-Natalie Kelley 

Works Consulted

“City of Sydney - Council - Home.” Safe City , City of Sydney, www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/health-and-safety/community-safety/safe-city.

Gerathy, Sarah. “Alcohol Restriction Rules Expanded across Sydney CBD.” ABC News, ABC Australia, 28 May 2014, www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-28/alcohol-restrictions-expanded-across-sydney-cbd/5483982.

Glover, Richard. “How Australia Beat the Gun Lobby and Passed Gun Control.” The Sydney Morning Herald, The Sydney Morning Herald, 4 Oct. 2017, www.smh.com.au/comment/how-australia-beat-the-gun-lobby-and-passed-gun-control-20171003-gytvn4.html.