Lord Mayor Increases Public Safety
05 July, 2008
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Free self-defence courses will be offered to Brisbane residents, as Lord Mayor Campbell Newman takes a stand in favour of public safety.
And the Lord Mayor will also offer a special anti-theft Data Dots spray device through Neighbourhood Watch so people stand a greater chance of recovering stolen goods.
The Lord Mayor has allocated $425,000 a year for the community self-defence courses – and encouraged women to build their confidence by learning by getting involved.
“These classes will equip people, particularly women, with some basic physical skills and knowledge of how best to respond to a threatening situation,” he said.
“They will not only make women better equipped to deal with potentially threatening situations, but they will also be able to walk the streets with confidence. That sort of freedom is something you really can’t put a price on.”
Another $250,000 has been allocated towards providing access to DataDots, a crime-fighting revolution in a can.
The microscopic labels, which carry unique serial numbers invisible to the naked eye, can be applied to any item with a spray can or cotton buds.
That enables police to go to pawn shops with viewing devices to check if goods are stolen.
Funding for the subsidised DataDots will increase to $500,000 in the next budget and $1.125 million in following years as the popularity of the produce catches on.
“Where once people had to engrave their belongings, this technological wonder allows them to identify their belongings without defacing them,” Cr Newman said.
“These packs also come with warning stickers, which can be displayed on windows or the items themselves, which will deter thefts.
The DataDots will be bought in bulk and offered to residents for a discount rate of $30.
“This initiative is about reducing the incidence of theft, but it will also give residents the piece of mind that their stolen belongings can be identified and tracked,” Cr Newman said.
It is estimated that DataDots will be used by up to 100,000 households.