Wyndham City’s new after-hours Security Patrols begin tonight, marking the start of a six-month trial in Truganina aimed at boosting community safety and deterring anti-social behaviour.
The patrols, operated by Council’s licensed provider MA Services Group, will run every night from 10 pm to 6 am until April 2026. Two marked vehicles will cover public places, business precincts and community facilities, with licensed and uniformed officers equipped with body-worn cameras, dashcams and GPS tracking. Officers will not be armed and have no powers of arrest or fines, with their role focused on prevention, observation and timely reporting to Victoria Police.
Councillor Preet Singh said the initiative responds to residents’ calls for greater visibility after hours. “We know safety is a top priority for our residents. This trial will provide a highly visible presence across public areas, business precincts and community facilities in Truganina—deterring anti-social behaviour and ensuring timely recording and reporting of issues to the appropriate authorities,” he said. “The patrols are designed to work alongside Victoria Police, local businesses and community groups. Community safety is a shared responsibility, and this trial is about taking an active, practical step to support safer public spaces.”
The program is funded through Council’s 2025–26 Budget at $372,000 and was endorsed by councillors on 23 June 2025. An evaluation will follow the trial, assessing incident reports, data from Victoria Police and community feedback before Council considers whether to expand or modify the approach.
The trial has stirred debate among residents, with some questioning whether the money could be better spent elsewhere. Hamoudi Moudi El Kurdi wrote online that the initiative “seems more about political visibility than delivering real outcomes for the community,” arguing that “spending $400,000 on cars that cannot arrest anyone and only call 000 may not provide the best results for residents.” He suggested that “residents could see more tangible benefits from initiatives like CCTV expansion, improved street lighting, or community education programs.”
Cr Preet Singh responded publicly, defending the decision and rejecting any suggestion of impropriety. “There are plenty of independent agencies you can report to who can investigate any wrongdoings. Please don’t spread misinformation,” he wrote. “If you don’t like me or my affiliations, that is absolutely fine and your democratic right. But kindly don’t point any fingers on me personally just because you don’t like me or are not happy with a democratic decision the council made.”
The Council says the trial is designed to complement, not replace, police work. Patrols will share information with Victoria Police and Council officers to help identify after-hours issues and guide future policy.
Residents are reminded to call 000 in emergencies or 131 444 for non-urgent police matters.
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