Suburbs under siege press release from 7/8/11

Back in August prior to the merge between the Katters Australian Party and Queensland Party I sent a media release to all outlets in Cairns about the problems with law and order issues in a particular area that was having devastating impacts on residents. I also sent this to relevant authorities as it had a number of strategies that could be implemented to address the issues. I have continued to lobby for this issue but those with the ability to do something continue not to. This needs to change.

Here is the release I sent out on 7th August 2011-

MEDIA RELEASE –For Saturday 7^th August 2011

SUBURBS STILL UNDER SIEGE.

The Queensland Party Cairns candidate and spokesperson for Police, Corrections and Emergency Services Darren Hunt has called for urgent action to address crime and anti-social behaviour that has Cairns suburbs under siege.

Mr Hunt said “Once again citizens of Cairns have been kept up all night by rampaging groups of criminals damaging property, stealing belongings, smashing bottles on the roadway and threatening anyone who has the audacity to ask them to stop.”

“How is this acceptable. The local councilor can no longer pretend she was not aware of this after appearing on the news last night. Instead of offering help or suggestions as usual all we get is spin.

But when you have a Councilor just sponging of Cairns rate payers until the state election what do you expect? When you have a State Member already planning her retirement ride off into the sunset to make way for said sponging councillor, what do you expect?”

“These groups are partying on the bridge and park till 4.00am every morning keeping residents awake. They are wreaking havoc on local businesses and homes causing damage, doing graffiti, break and enters and stealing. Residents are not even game to step outside their own home or use the park they should be entitled to use. When they call the police the phone rings out.”

“On Friday the 5^th August/Saturday morning  the people of these suburbs were again subject to unacceptable behavior. They tried calling the police from 10.00pm to 06.30am the following day and could get not help, being told no crews were available. People will accept that every now and then, but if over and over again there are ‘no crews available’, then clearly we do not have enough police in this city to keep our community safe and that needs to change. It is simply not good enough.”

“But we also need to address the Labor governments soft on crime justice system that creates this situation. We need changes to the Bail Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Penalties and Sentences Act. We need changes to the way in which parole is issued in this state. Legislative changes in these areas will halve our crime rates. Look at the huge drop in crime reported by the police when they arrested the local ringleader on 100 charges and kept him in custody.”

“As the Queensland party candidate for Cairns I realise there are a number of issues at play. But there are some issues and steps that can be taken immediately. Unlike the local councilor and local member who have no answers other than spin and waffle we provided a number of steps that could be taken to help these people. The people of this area should be able to enjoy the same lifestyle and freedoms everyone else in Cairns is entitled to and not feel as though they are under siege, too scared to leave their own homes. The local councilor should do the right thing and make way for someone prepared to do the job instead of sponging of Cairns rate payers until the Premier calls an election.”

Darren Hunt

Queensland Party Police, corrections and emergency services spokesperson

E-Mail: Cairns@queenslandparty.org.au

Mobile: 0429897561

Media contact: Darren Hunt 0429897561

QUEENSLAND PARTY SOLUTIONS

State level-

·         Legislative reform to Bail Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Penalties and Sentences Act.

·         Reform to the issuing of Court Ordered Parole and dealing with those guilty of breaching community based orders.

·         Effective law and order policies so that penalties reflect community expectations and put community safety first

·         Directing police resources to conduct nightly patrols of the problem areas.

·         Dog squad patrols of school and park

·         Police to work with council on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design(CPTED) issues

·         Mobile camera system deployed in problem area

·         Review of the contact methods for victims reporting crime.

·         Police officers to attend/be more involved in neighbourhood watch meetings so community concerns are conveyed to police.

·         Dismantling of public housing ghettos

·         Parental responsibility for children in their care

·         Review of education, entertainment and activities available in problem areas

·         State member to meet with residents and listen to concerns

Council level-

·         Council safety officer to conduct safety audit

·         Council to work with police on CPTED issues

·         Council to fence off drain concourse commencing at Mulgrave road

·         Council to look at introducing times in which park can be used e.g park closed after 10.00pm except as thoroughfare

·         Council to look at installing gates on Chinamen Ck bridge/over pass

·         Council to remove rubbish, clean up broken glass, remove stockpiled shopping trolleys etc

·         Councillors/staff to attend/be more involved in neighbourhood watch meetings so community concerns are conveyed to council

·         Divisional councillor to meet  with residents to listen to concerns

·         Mobile camera system deployed in problem area

·         Review of entertainment and activities available in problem areas