Community Night Patrol

What is Community Night Patrol?

Kalano’s Community Night Patrol is a community safety and wellbeing program that operates at night to support vulnerable people and help keep the community safe.

The program focuses on early intervention and harm prevention, assisting people who may be at risk of causing harm or becoming victims of harm by transporting them to a safe place where their immediate needs can be addressed. Where needed, Night Patrol also connects people with appropriate services including health services, safe houses, police, alcohol and other drug services and other local support agencies.

A key role of Community Night Patrol is supporting child safety, ensuring children are home or in a safe place with a parent or carer by 9:00pm, and reminding carers of their responsibilities to support children’s wellbeing, rest and school attendance.

The program works to divert intoxicated people away from the criminal justice system before any offence occurs, reduce risk to individuals and promote safer community outcomes. Night Patrol staff also assist with incident recording and reporting, community engagement and awareness of the program.

Community Night Patrol operates in partnership with local police and service providers through formal agreements and community safety planning.

Prevention

Community Patrol operates on the basis of prevention; preventing violence, social disturbances, and other issues through culturally appropriate communication styles and methods.

Contact with 30+ Indigenous Groups

Community Patrol has made contact with over 30 different Indigenous Cultural and Linguistic Groups.

Problem Solvers

Assisting with disputes within our communities and externally, Community Patrol relays information to other departments to solve social or behavioral problems in the community.

Collaborative

Working in conjunction with NT Police, Katherine Town Council, various government departments and other Indigenous organisations.

Our Story

Community Night Patrol began in the Northern Territory in response to improve the safety in our Indigenous communities through the prevention of confrontational issues, anti-social behaviour, grog-runners, racism, domestic violence, mental health and other challenges. Patrols were staffed by community nominated volunteers who also assisted the police when necessary.

Patrol Staff understood the culture, their people, the histories of tribes and tribal relationships, which informed them on how to respond in appropriate manners. These services were valued and gained acknowledgement in the wider Northern Territory, which led to funding provided by the Australian government.

Kalano’s Community Patrol operates in the Katherine region and extends to the Binjari and Rockhole communities. It works in conjunction with the NT Police, Katherine Town Council, various government departments and other Indigenous organisations.

Our Community Patrol has made contact with more than 30 different Indigenous Cultural and Linguistic groups. Numbers in overnight stays at the NT Police Station have diminished over the years with the assistance of our Night Patrol. It continues to be operated by Indigenous people for Indigenous people, thereby honouring cultural values and ways.