Victoria Police on protecting the Jewish community

The AJN met with Victoria Police to discuss their commitment to protecting security in Melbourne’s Jewish neighbourhoods.

Victoria Police established ‘Operation Park’ in October 2023, to monitor and co-ordinate the investigation of offences associated with the Israel-Gaza conflict, which police said, “predominately targeted at Jewish people”. Operation Park has included more than 13,000 visits to places of cultural significance to help keep the Jewish community safe and it has made at least 266 arrests.

Local Area Commander for Port Phillip Inspector Brett Coloe told The AJN, “Operation Park is about getting our members out there, front and centre visible, having the community see us, and providing reassurance to the community, and also having a ready response capability should there be any need for us to engage.”

Operation Park involves local police from St Kilda, Port Phillip and Glen Eira as well as specialist police including the Public Order Response Teams and the Critical Incident Response Teams.

When The AJN noted Jewish community concern that many of those arrested have not faced prison sentences,  Inspector Coloe said the police are focused on arresting those who commit offences, and that the courts ultimately decide on sentencing.