{
  "id": 6158829,
  "title": "The outreach program building trust in a bid to reduce crime",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/the-outreach-program-building-trust-in-a-bid-to-reduce-crime",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T19:11:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/frankston-community-connectors-linking-vulnerable-people-to-help/107117130"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Melbourne outreach program, Community Connectors, is credited with reducing crime in the city's outer south-east area. The program connects vulnerable individuals with social workers at train stations, helping them access support for issues like mental health, housing and substance abuse. Following a fatal alleged attack on a shopkeeper, the program is being expanded to Melbourne's west. Team leader Damian Anderson, who has interacted with a diverse group of people at Frankston train station, emphasizes the importance of building trust with program participants. A report by SECL found that between 2024 and 2025, community connectors supported 2,452 people, preventing harm in 535 situations and de-escalating 180 incidents. Antisocial incidents decreased by 44% around the station during this period. Local officials and business owners have praised the program for enhancing safety and fostering a sense of security in the community.",
  "summary": "A program connecting vulnerable people with outreach workers at train stations is being credited with reducing antisocial behaviour in suburban Melbourne.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}