Mount Isa City Council should do more on youth crime, says Father Mick Lowcock.
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Fr Lowcock said he disagreed with a recent statement on youth crime by Mayor Joyce McCulloch.
He thinks the community and organisations need to focus on the positives and what is working, not what is not.
Whereas Mayor Joyce McCulloch thinks a government review should take place into programs and agencies which may not be working or could have gaps.
Mayor Joyce McCulloch's statement read the following;
"The problems around youth crime usually begins at home, so it essential that we look at what programs are currently in place to address this, and potentially, why they are not working," Cr McCulloch said.
"Children aren't born with a criminal nature they are simply a product of their environment."
Cr McCulloch said there were multiple agencies in Mount Isa that were specifically geared towards addressing these issues.
"Council have always worked with and supported them anywhere possible.
"These agencies and programs are substantially funded by state and federal governments so I would urge our government to undertake a full review of these services and programs to determine where any gaps currently lie, and how we as a community can be better supported," she said.
Fr Lowcock doesn't agree with the Mayor's approach.
"The Mayor has said they need to look at what's not working but that is looking at the glass half empty. Instead of seeing what is working and trying to build on that," Fr Lowcock said.
Fr Lowcock said this was the first community he had ever lived in where the Council didn't do anything in the social service area.
"They criticise everyone else but what are they doing themselves. They need to come and talk to us social services and make an effort, rather than just pointing the finger."
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