A STRONG ongoing relationship has been formed over the last six months between Wonthaggi’s Proactive Policing Unit (PPU) and SJD Homes, the building company throwing its support behind police programs for youth.
That is consistent with SJD’s emphasis on supporting the communities in which it builds, that philosophy being important to the organisation’s Principal Simon Dunstan.
The connection between the PPU and SJD sprang up through the friendship of Leading Senior Constable Nick Carlson and SJD’s Construction Manager Kim O’Connor.
With the current focus on youth crime, Nick outlined what the PPU does to encourage young people to become involved in positive interests.
“We refer people to different support services or get them engaging in community activities; it might be sports teams or any activity to divert their attention away from what they’re getting up to,” he said.
“We need a lot of resourcing and help in that area to get kids into these activities and away from the streets and the crime and poor behaviour that we’re all going through with young people.”
The PPU does a lot of presentations at local schools on issues such as social media, knife crime, road trauma, sexting and consent.
Nick noted SJD has been happy to come on board and help provide required resourcing.
“We figured we could align ourselves with proactive policing,” SJD’s Kim said, explaining those in charge of the business continue to chat with representatives of the PPU to establish what they need to run their programs and activities.
Young people in need of support are brought to the attention of those at the PPU through various organisations, including child protection services and often schools.
New ideas continue to arise in the PPU for youth-focused activities.
“We’ve been looking at social activities, adventure therapy activities, where we need funding, resourcing and equipment,” Nick said.
SJD is keen to help in various ways, whether financial or otherwise.
Its support so far has included funding for educational material such as ‘drink driving glasses’ that give young people an understanding of how being impaired by alcohol affects their abilities.
The partnership has also provided promotional material to help the PPU run its programs.
A recent visit by members of the PPU to SJD’s base in
Officer was productive, with the police discussing initiatives they are keen to introduce.
“It’s an ongoing relationship and one we’re excited to be part of and are looking forward to being further involved into the future,” Kim said.
SJD has four display homes in Wonthaggi and others elsewhere, the business having been voted the HIA number one major builder in Victoria for 2024, something that has propelled it to greater success.
Those at the PPU are appreciative that success is aiding its youth programs, those programs certain to benefit youth in need and the region’s broader communities.