Tomorrow, the Maribyrnong Council will consider whether to extend its Footscray CBD Security Program pilot. Liberty Victoria urges the Council to cease the use of security patrols, and to instead implement solutions based on addressing the needs of people experiencing disadvantage.
The use of local laws to police people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage is a discriminatory and counter-productive approach to social and economic inequality. Further, there is no evidence that the use of security patrols has been effective in addressing any of the issues it was supposed to address.
Grassroots community organisation Footscray Community Response conducted an evaluation of the Program which found the private security patrols were punitive, inappropriate and an ineffective response to social and health related issues. Liberty Victoria is particularly concerned by reports of security guards assaulting members of the community, including people experiencing homelessness, as part of the patrols. Additionally, it is reported that security patrols have instructed people to finish drinking open containers of alcohol to avoid the possible conflict caused by confiscating it.
These measures are also likely to disproportionately impact refugees and asylum seeker communities in Footscray, who already bear the brunt of social issues including racism, trauma, poverty and barriers to accessing vital services.
The Council’s own review, authored by an independent company, concluded that since the Program’s implementation in September 2025 “underlying drivers of safety concerns including homelessness, mental health distress and alcohol and other drug dependence remain largely unchanged” and that “many residents, service providers and people experiencing vulnerability reported little change, or heightened discomfort, particularly for those already marginalised”.
There is also a very strong argument that the Program is discriminatory. While (largely white, middle class) patrons of nearby bars are encouraged to drink in the Footscray mall, for instance, others are moved on or threatened with police intervention.
The Program was initiated following police killing Abdifatah Ahmed in Footscray in April 2025. Mr Ahmed was from a refugee background, sleeping rough in Footscray and experiencing mental health challenges. After Mr Ahmed’s death, the community gathered at vigils and rallied with “Black Lives Matter” signs, calling for housing and mental health support.
Rather than investing in qualified social and outreach workers, basic amenities like showers and toilets or housing, the Council’s Program has further targeted people experiencing poverty and marginalisation.
This comes in the context of new research which revealed the discriminatory and ineffective use of Victoria Police’s ‘designated area’ search powers, which were used in Footscray in July 2025.
Quotes attributable to Gemma Cafarella, President of Liberty Victoria:
“The use of security guards to patrol the Footscray CBD sends the message that parts of our community are a problem, and that there is an “us” that needs to be protected from “them”. It’s a fallacy: we are one community.”
“We call on the Maribyrnong Council to listen to its community and the research which clearly points in the same direction: that securitising the streets of Footscray undermines rather than strengthens community safety.”
“The disproportionate and deadly police targeting of people of colour must stop. Mr Ahmed’s death should have triggered investment into basic needs like social and mental health support and shelter. Instead, the Council’s response of policing and punishment has further exacerbated marginalisation.”
“It is no surprise that the Security Program has not delivered results. Decision makers need to start taking evidence-backed responses to social and health issues and reject the ill-informed push to criminalise poverty and disadvantage.”