Cairns residents fed up with rising youth crime, car thefts, attacks

Choppers, sirens and speeding cars have residents questioning if they’re living in the Far North or The Bronx, as surging crime pushes residents to the brink.

Choppers, sirens and speeding cars have residents questioning if they’re living in the Far North or The Bronx, as surging crime has pushed residents to look to how they can make an impact.

Following a string of attacks and break-ins targeting the elderly, local crime advocate Paul Drabble is creating a citizens’ force — acting as a buddy system for the vulnerable.

Anti-crime advocate Paul Drabble at a popular stolen car dumping area in White Rock will host a Zoom crime crisis meeting on Wednesday to discuss protection of the elderly and a citizens' force to assist police combat crime. Picture: Peter Carruthers

And Far North residents were largely supportive.

On a social media post calling on thoughts and opinions, residents have compared living in Cairns to New York’s Bronx district – historically known for its high crime rates – after frequent helicopters were deployed this week to track down youth criminals.

This has put off people from the Far North.

“Are we living in the ghetto or Cairns? The amount of helicopters I have heard today made me think I’m in New York Bronx, it’s a joke,” said Tracey Young.

“Sadly I won’t be visiting beautiful Cairns again for a long time, sounds like crime is absolutely out of control, feel for the residents,” said Karen Scanlan.

An allegedly stolen late model Toyota Corolla was stopped by police tyre spikes in Brinsmead earlier this year. Picture: Supplied

Many expressed the inevitability of vigilante ideation.

“Well how else is it going to stop?” said Denis Rose.

“What did they think was going to happen?” said Lee-Anne Laguna.

“This was bound to happen,” said Robyn Manning.

Others called on changes to the judicial system to put a stop to youth crime, frustrated with the cycle of reoffending and recidivism.

“They get hauled into the cop shop after being caught red handed once again, put through the courts, only to be given a free ride, and all of a sudden, they’re out doing it again,” said Paul O’Loughlin.

900 cars have been stolen in Cairns this year. Single mother Sarah Martin has had her Bentley Park home broken into twice, with the offenders taking the keys to her car from her bedroom and stealing the vehicle. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s time to start holding the parents responsible for their children’s doings and take a look at the judges who keep letting them go to do the same thing over again,” said Beverley Comer.

While some were in support, Far North crime inspector Kevin Goan told Cairns Post on Monday that he strongly opposed vigilantism — stating that people taking the law into their own hands would be charged.

He, however, encouraged the community to come together and rally around the vulnerable.

Originally published as Cairns residents fed up with rising youth crime, car thefts, attacks