Suggestions on youth crime
I lived in Mount Isa and then Cloncurry for the past three years. Before that I lived in Townsville for six years. In that time there has been an increase in youth crime in this region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I am wondering if Robbie Katter MP can help reduce this? I would say that most people in his electorate have had some experience with this issue or at least are concerned by it. Implementing real solutions that work would be a very popular move. I know that Mr Katter has tried to work on this issue but I don't think it has been greatly successful.
These three towns all see groups of young people, some of primary school age, walking the streets at night causing issues. As Cloncurry is such as small community most people know who these kids are. Surely it would not be impossible to implement a program in Cloncurry as a test case, evaluate it say every six months, change if if necessary and then implement it in Mount Isa and Townsville.
Since living here I have gotten to know some of these kids. The younger kids are not bad kids but get led astray by older teenagers. I know of at least two primary school aged kids who have not attended school since I arrived here 16 months ago.
I asked one kid why he was not at school. He said because he punched a teacher. So he has been expelled. It does not make sense to me that as a punishment this kid gets to have almost two years off school. Who does that help? He will now find it very difficult to get a job when he is older and is likely to turn to a life of crime.
When a fire was started in Cloncurry, I don't know who was responsible but made me think again about kids out at night with nothing to do and no home life. I wonder how long it will be before someone is hurt or killed by these types of incidents.
I certainly don't have the answers to these problems but some suggestions would be:
1) Don't expel kids from school. Have a system in place were these kids have to attend. I did some work with the Positive Learning Unit at Central State School. Maybe this approach should be properly funded and expanded.
2) Use the resources of the police's community liaison officers and implement Night Patrols to ensure kids are at school and not walking the streets at night.
3) Currently the PCYC do great work. But it seems the kids who attend activities there are not the kids I am talking about. The PCYC activities require parents who can afford it and care what there kids are doing. An organisation should be paid to provide free, regular, activities for these kids.
4) Consult with the community and ask for written submissions. Don't just have a community meeting, as not everyone can attend these and it is difficult to evaluate everyone's opinions.
5) Try and avoid programs that punish people. This tends to create other issues.
Mick Brady,
Muswellbrook, NSW
Truce?
I promise I will not pick on Bob or Robbie Katter in 2018.
Unless they start it first.
George Harley
Mount Isa
Facebook Feedback
Our readers were impressed to hear Cloncurry Shire councillors had donated their remuneration increases to local groups.
Russell Holdsworth Come on MICC! Dare you to match that!
Alan Baillie Tremendous
Tania Henshall Good on ya... come on MICC do the same... bet ya our councilors are more selfish and won't match The Curry.
Patricia Taylor Well done everyone.
Barbara Parker Wonderful gesture, good on you all
Elizabeth Miller Well done Cloncurry.
Wendy Clarry Hudson Well done Cloncurry love that town. Keith Douglas. You have to write a poem on this