Frankston City Council says its award-winning Community Connectors public safety program is continuing to make a measurable difference, with more than 3,100 people supported and 406 incidents of harm prevented in the 2025/26 period.
The Council says a further 216 situations were successfully de-escalated across the Frankston Station and Young Street precinct of the city centre, while the team made 217 referrals to specialist services for people experiencing issues including mental health concerns, homelessness, housing instability, alcohol and other drug use, and social isolation.
Delivered by South East Community Links with support from Council and the Victorian Government through Metro Trains, Community Connectors supported 3,104 people, including 1,644 regular participants, during the past financial year.
The Council is now advocating for further State Government investment to continue and build on that success.
The results come as Council’s latest Community Satisfaction Survey also shows an improvement in residents’ perceptions of safety.
The proportion of residents identifying safety, policing, and crime as an important issue for Council to address fell from 29% in 2025 to 11% in 2026, while the overall perception of feeling safe increased by five points to 7.8 out of 10.
While a range of factors influence community perceptions of safety, the improvement comes alongside the strong results being achieved through programs such as Community Connectors and other Council initiatives including increased patrols by its Rapid Response team, public-space CCTV to support monitoring and police investigations, partnerships with Victoria Police, Neighbourhood Watch and local outreach services.
Community Connectors provides a visible, relationship-based presence in one of Frankston’s busiest public spaces. The team works closely with Metro Trains staff, Protective Services Officers, homelessness services, health providers, and emergency services to coordinate support
and connect people with the help they need.
During 2025-26, the team recorded more than 700 collaborative service interactions, helping people access housing, healthcare, recovery programs, and ongoing support.
The program was recognised nationally with Gold at the 2025 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards for its approach to crime prevention and community safety.
Frankston Mayor, Sue Baker said the recognition and the 2025-25 program results reinforced the value of the program’s relationship-based approach.
“Community Connectors works because it’s focused on building trust, making connections and helping people access the right support before problems become crises,” she said.
“That benefits the people receiving support, while also contributing to a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone using the precinct.”
Community Connectors was established as part of Council’s Young Street Action Plan, providing a proactive outreach service to people who may otherwise have limited contact with formal support services.
With demand for the service continuing, and the program being replicated in other areas including Footscray and Broadmeadows, Council is advocating for ongoing Victorian Government funding ahead of this year’s State election.
Council is seeking a $750,000 contribution from the State Government to continue Community Connectors and build on the results already being achieved.
The Mayor said ongoing funding would allow the program to continue supporting the community.
“We have a program that delivers clear results, has been recognised nationally and is now being offered in other parts of greater Melbourne,” she said.
“We want to build on that success and see Community Connectors continue to be part of the practical work that makes Frankston a safer and more connected community, but we can’t do that alone.
“Ahead of this State election we are calling on all Frankston candidates to put Community Connectors and Frankston City First.”
For more information about Community Connectors and our Frankston City First advocacy priorities go to: Frankston.vic.gov.au/frankstoncityfirst.
