Council’s security guard trial hits the ground running

Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s security crackdown is in full swing, with two security guards patrolling the city’s streets to help tackle crime.

The council has awarded a contract to Crownland Security, with the new guards accompanying the city’s Local Laws Officers.

The trial began on March 7 and will run for six weeks, with the longevity of the initiative contingent on the results in the coming months and future community consultation.

“No-one is going harder on city safety than me. I am pleased council is delivering this safety measure in time for one of the busiest months of the year,” Lord Mayor Cr Nick Reece said.

“This is an unprecedented step. For the first time, the City of Melbourne is putting security officers on the streets.”

Throughout Cr Reece’s election campaign, he announced that he would bring in a 30-person team of city safety officers. However, it is understood that this trial is unrelated to any election promise.

The focus of the trial is to crack down on alcohol and drug consumption, anti-social behaviour and aggressive begging.

It comes after 37 incidents of violence were recorded during the past two years against council staff members enforcing local laws, with the council seeking to address the community’s safety concerns through further investment.

In 2024–25, the council has allocated more than $13 million to city safety, including funding for street lighting, security and daily patrol teams.

Additionally, Cr Reece noted that the council would work to protect vulnerable people by partnering with the Salvation Army and Melbourne City Mission, as well as delivering projects that provided safe shelter for those in need.

In January this year, the council opened the doors of Make Room at 602 Little Bourke St, providing 50 units for vulnerable residents, managed by community housing provider Unison Housing.

“I want Melbourne to be a city that is safe and where people feel safe, and I will not stop until we achieve that,” Cr Reece said. •