Crime in Mount Isa is primarily a state responsibility but has topped our opinion poll as the issue most people want addressed in the federal election.
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According to the Annual Statistical Review the crime rate in Mount Isa is actually improving.
The overall crime rate across the Mount Isa District from 2015/16 to 2016/17 decreased by 0.1 percent to 9,688 offences.
Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said last year said the number of offenders was small and police knew fewer children were now committing crime but those who do commit crime often commit more offences.
Of course those statements and that data is no comfort to those affected by crime and the impact is made worse by the amplification of the problem through social media.
So it is timely that the Queensland Government have asked the Productivity Commission to undertake an inquiry to determine how government resources and policies may be best used to reduce imprisonment and recidivism to improve outcomes for the community.
That inquiry is ongoing but as we report in this edition, there is an excellent submission from the Mount Isa Family Support Service & Neighbourhood Centre.
They have called for Indigenous-led night patrols, safe houses and public transport in the city as solutions to the problem.
Father Mick Lowcock has also written a submission to the Inquiry calling for better reintegration of prisoners into society.
Often they are released from faraway locations without notice and with no way of getting back to their communities.
"Persons being released without any prior or concurrent exploration of these issues are most certainly at risk, including the development of cyclical behaviours contributing to re-offending and recidivism," Father Mick told the Inquiry.
He also called for a Men's Place in Mount Isa for men to go when in trouble or when facing difficult issues at home.
All these ideas will cost money but if we are serious about address the underlying problems to reduce crime they must be considered by governments.
Otherwise we will be talking about the same problems in 10 and 20 years time - Derek Barry