Cairns community service order stats revealed after wave of vandalism, property crime
Tough-love toothbrush teams could be out on scrubbing patrol a lot more frequently if Far North victims of crime have their way.
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TOUGH-LOVE toothbrush teams could be out on scrubbing patrol a lot more frequently if Far North victims of crime have their way.
Extreme cases of senseless property damage have been on very public display in recent months.
An onslaught of crude graffiti across the Cairns City Library facade was the most obvious attack, and rampant break-ins, car thefts and other crimes have the community on a knife’s edge.
There are now calls for authorities to reload their penalty arsenal with a major upswing in community service orders, especially against young offenders.
It is a tit-for-tat proposal that brings its own set of challenges – not least, how to force hard graft upon youths that refuse to follow orders.
However, it is one JCU Strikers FC coach Victor Neckebroeck said should be an increasing part of the mix.
“But do they even show up to it?” he asked.
“That’s the thing, no one really knows.”
The JCU Strikers soccer club’s new $400,000 facility at Calanna Park in Woree has been repeatedly broken into since its construction last year.
Vandals have scorched motifs into furniture, spray-painted walls, smashed glass bottles and left syringes lying around where children play.
A volunteer even had a knife pulled on him when he approached a pair of teenage boys who were tagging walls with aerosol paint cans.
Mr Neckebroeck said the attacks had slowed since the installation of $1500 worth of security cameras.
“Plus we’ve had to get internet service, and that’s a continuing cost to the club to be able to get live feeds to the cameras,” he said.
The volunteer said forcing culprits to clean their mess could be a way to assert personal responsibility – as long as other measures to keep youths in line and educated were maintained.
New Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) data show 15,124 hours of community service were completed by offenders in the Far North in 2020-21. The statistics relate to offenders of all ages – not just youths.
The value of their work to the community was estimated at $406,233 last financial year.
Over the seven months to February 2022, another 7128 hours of community service were completed by Far North offenders, valued at $197,000.
However, the latest Children’s Court of Queensland annual report showed only 12.8 per cent of convicted youths across the state received community service orders in 2020-21 – down on a five-year average of 19 per cent.
Only 443 of the 3461 youth justice orders issued in Queensland last financial year were for community service.
Probation was more prevalent with 1797 orders issued (52 per cent), whereas only 275 (8 per cent) convicted young offenders went into detention.
A QCS spokesman said there were 47 active community service projects in the Cairns district.
They ranged from work with church groups and sporting clubs to animal refuges and charities.
“In some cases, community service fills a labour gap for not-for-profit groups and provides offenders the opportunity to develop life and vocational skills and networks – and in some cases obtain employment at the conclusion … ” the spokesman said.
“QCS has been operating a graffiti removal project with Cairns Regional Council since 2008. Under this unique partnership, the council provides equipment including a graffiti trailer.
“Information about graffiti-related incidents is shared and the aim is to provide a response within 24 to 48 hours depending on the work required …
“The project has resulted in less graffiti in Cairns and the community has benefited from offenders giving back in a visible and meaningful way.”
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Originally published as Cairns community service order stats revealed after wave of vandalism, property crime
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