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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Mural paints story of community's hope of turning tide on crime

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A large mural project in Port Augusta, South Australia, aims to combat high crime rates and improve police relations with Aboriginal youth.
  • The "This Place Is Us, Our Voice, Our Story, Our Way" mural involved about 30 teenagers and covers 200 square meters of wall space.
  • The initiative is funded by a $12 million joint government program designed to foster a safer and more connected community.

In Port Augusta, South Australia, a vibrant 65-meter-long mural is bringing a splash of color and a message of hope to a community grappling with high crime rates. Titled "This Place Is Us, Our Voice, Our Story, Our Way," the artwork aims to help turn the tide on crime and foster better relationships between police and the local Aboriginal youth.

Any relationship we can build with young people is important and we work very hard on that engagement.

— Far North Region Police Superintendent Paul IsherwoodSuperintendent Paul Isherwood praised the community's mural project and stressed the importance of police engagement with young people to address juvenile offending.

The project, located on the back wall of a business, covers 200 square meters and involved approximately 30 teenagers throughout its creation. The initiative was the brainchild of three police officers who sought a creative way to reduce crime and enhance community engagement. The mural features striking portraits and symbols that represent culture, youth, and the local environment.

This community-led effort is supported by the Port Augusta and Davenport Community Alliance, a three-year, $12 million initiative launched in late 2024 by the federal and state governments. The alliance brings together traditional owners, elders, Aboriginal community-controlled organizations, young people, community service agencies, police, and business representatives to develop a roadmap for a safer and more connected community.

It's not just about police being law enforcers, it's about them being community members, and continually trying to improve outcomes for everyone, living, working or passing through Port Augusta.

— Far North Region Police Superintendent Paul IsherwoodSuperintendent Isherwood elaborated on the role of police as community members invested in improving the lives of Port Augusta residents.

Social issues, including a crime rate significantly higher than state and national averages, were the driving force behind the mural project. In May alone, Port Augusta recorded 336 criminal offenses, including 104 assault charges. Break-ins were reported at a rate 709.8% higher than the state average and 552.4% higher than the national average in 2022/2024. Police Superintendent Paul Isherwood emphasized the importance of building relationships with young people, stating that police officers are community members striving to improve outcomes for everyone in Port Augusta. Senior Constable Shirreen Jackson, who helped initiate the project, highlighted the desire to create something the youth could "call their own and create themselves and basically look after."

We thought let's do something for our kids, something that they can call their own and create themselves and basically look after.

— Senior Constable Shirreen JacksonSenior Constable Jackson explained the motivation behind the mural project, emphasizing the desire to empower local youth.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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