Townsville City Council to step up foot patrols to deter anti-social behaviour after successful trial

One of Townsville’s top restaurateurs, who sits right next to one of the city’s worst hotspots for anti-social behaviour, has backed an increase in patrols on the city’s streets.

A 5-week-trial which saw increased anti-social behaviour patrols through the city CBD has yielded 'positive results' Townsville City Council says. Photo: Supplied.

One of Townsville’s top restaurateurs, who sits right next to one of the city’s worst hotspots for anti-social behaviour, has backed an increase in patrols on the city’s streets.

A Touch of Salt’s manager Mark Brine says customers and businesses owners have felt safer and more relaxed during an initial five-week trial that saw additional community safety officers conducting foot patrols of known trouble zones.

“Things are improving marginally, the current approach from the council with these officers on the streets patrolling is a positive step in the right direction,” Mr Brine said.

“We’d like to be in a position where we have a safe inner-city precinct where we can trade out of where the public don’t have a worry about coming down to and visiting.

“While I have seen a slight improvement, what I’ve seen more so is an improvement in the confidence of people’s willingness to come back into the city and dine and shop here.”

A 5-week-trial which saw increased anti-social behaviour patrols through the city CBD has yielded 'positive results' Townsville City Council says. Photo: Supplied.

Itinerants, vagrants and other anti-social behaviours including public drunkenness and nuisance complaints have been a persistent thorn in the CBDs side for some time, with spots both within the city’s bounds and the outskirts having been called out as places to avoid.

Gallivanter Travel owner Debbie Rains said in January of this year that a chief concern among business owners in the CBD was the ‘unsavoury behaviour from itinerants abusing staff and clients, causing clients to shop elsewhere, resulting in business’ closing”.

Mr Brine said the current approach, where community safety officers interact with business owners, police officers and itinerants themselves in order to promote better outcomes.

“I think it is the best approach, the police do a terrific job at what they do, but I think we get a much better response from the PLOs or the community safety officers doing the patrols,” Mr Brine said.

“I think building rapport with the people around us misbehaving is a much better approach that what has been used in the past. I think building a relationship with these people is the way forward.

A 5-week-trial which saw increased anti-social behaviour patrols through the city CBD has yielded 'positive results' Townsville City Council says. Photo: Supplied.

“I’ve seen them (community safety officers) out regularly and what I see most importantly is them engaging with business owners like myself and our staff, but more importantly the people who are out in the streets.”

Townsville’s Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said while the additional safety officers were limited in their powers to respond, they’ve had a clear impact.
“The recent trial included community safety officers conducting foot patrols of known trouble areas like the Dean St carpark, Central Park, our city centre and the Strand,” Ms Greaney said.
“While our officers don’t have move on powers like the police, we have had reports of their presence preventing anti-social behaviours, while also working alongside businesses owners where they can.

“We know our police have a lot on their hands, so to be able to take a bit off their plate at the moment so they can prioritise policing matters is a good thing for our community.”

Among the abilities community safety officers can exercise are ‘tip-out’ powers, in which they can confiscate and dispose of alcohol in alcohol prohibited areas.

Originally published as Townsville City Council to step up foot patrols to deter anti-social behaviour after successful trial