While he is best known as the mayor during the September 11 attacks, his mayoralty was about efficiency and changing the culture of the city that drove down crime while at the same time reinvigorating the Big Apple and restoring its international reputation as a global city of leadership.

It was Mayor Giuliani who introduced the Zero Tolerance policy. 

In simple terms Giuliani’s Zero Tolerance practice meant that even basic crimes are properly punished. 

Graffiti meant that the perpetrator received a harsh penalty.  Same with shoplifting, stealing, break and enters - the works.  

Zero Tolerance actually lead to a dramatic decrease in crime levels because people knew that the crime committed will actually result in a significant penalty, possibility jail time. 

However most interesting result of his Zero Tolerance policy is where Mayor Giuliani really shines. 

Serious crime in New York dropped to record lows.  Once known as the murder capital of America, the city became one of the safest major cities. 

The consequence of showing society in the actual real rule of law lead all levels of society to pull up their socks. 

Japan and Singapore also have similar attitudes to petty crime.  

I’ve recently been in Japan and South Korea. 

I went to Japan on a self-funded trip to visit our sister cities of Minokamo and Toyama. 

Beyond all the niceties and formalities of meeting overseas mayors and councils the main thing that stood out to me was the near non-existent crime and the zero examples of vandalism. 

It was frankly a shock!  

Fancy going to a tourist information map and sign in the middle of a public square only to discover not one random scratch, no texted graffiti and it being immaculately clean.

Then enter their underground rail networks. 

Again no spray paint, no lingering stench of filth, not one example of vandalism. 

In every street you instantly had a feeling of safety.

This isn’t a race or culture issue. 

If you visit Singapore, one of the most multicultural countries in the world, you will also see that heavily populated country having similar low crime levels. 

People of various races and wealth live side by side largely without issue.

Australia’s social and crime problems largely lies on the issue of lack of social structures, resources and appropriate punishment for criminal activity. 

The thing with New York’s Zero Tolerance Policy and why it worked so successfully is that it also addressed the crime and social problems from the other side of the spectrum. 

Yes Giuliani went very hard on penalties for criminals, but investment was also put into rehabilitation facilities and other programs to bring people up the social advantage ladder. 

Japan also has similar policies where people who are in dire predicaments with substance abuse receive the right care and support.

In NSW the responsibility for law and order is one for the State Government.

Your local Council is continuing to advocate for and facilitate residential Drug Rehabilitation services in the region. 

The push for facilities to combat substance addiction has been underway for many years and this was reinforced at the recent hearings of the Upper House inquiry on drug rehabilitation services.

Funding and operating such facilities is outside Council’s control but Council wants to ensure this much needed facility becomes a reality.