Cairns crime: Cairns Regional Council commits to combined police liaison initiative

Cairns Regional Council is wading into combating crime and anti-social behaviour in the city, but says the state government should do more. Will the new project work?

RATEPAYERS will foot the bill as Cairns Regional Council takes a leap into tackling crime in the city – but Mayor Bob Manning has warned the state government needs to step up its effort.

Councillors unanimously voted on a plan for 10 police liaison officers to have use of its recently-vacated Esplanade office and to provide a vehicle for them, on a two-year trial period.

The office is opposite Mantra Esplanade Cairns, near the corner of Shields St and not far from the Esplanade Police Beat next to the lagoon.

At the council meeting Cr Brett Olds said it was time the state government threw more resources into tackling crime in the city.

Cairns Regional Council is working with Cairns Police to introduce frequent patrols of police liaison officers Pictured are Supt Chris Hodgman, Police Liaison Officer Tony Bani, Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, Police Liaison Officer Joseph Banu and Acting Sergeant Chris Mosby at the council chambers. Picture: Brendan Radke.

“I don’t see any political will from the state government to fix this problem, I am disheartened with our crime record – one of my friends got punched in the face a week ago, in her house,” Cr Olds said.

“We are doing what we can but we need the state to step up, we don’t own this space.”

The council reasoned the cost of the project was minimal compared with putting on its own security staff, it would create a significant visual presence and police liaison officers were trained in culturally appropriate social intervention skills.

Council already spends $3m annually on its community safety plan with $500,000 allocated in its recent budget to renew, upgrade and expand the CCTV network.

No date has been set for the start of the program at premises.

Cr Manning said the plan meant there would be a much closer relationship between council and police.

“We can’t just change this overnight,” Cr Manning said.

. Division 9 councilor Brett Olds spoke at the rally. Picture: Brendan Radke

“And the state government has got to play a significant role because this is their space, and we’re trying to help out the best way we can.”

Far North Police Assistant District Officer Superintendent Chris Hodgman said the cross-cultural liaison unit was made up of two sworn members and eight unsworn members from varying backgrounds.

“I think it’s an exciting prospect, that unit will be located within the Cairns CBD area close to where our sworn officers are, and they do a fantastic job,” Supt Hodgman said.

“They are our conduit between the community and police officers, they give us a greater understanding of how we are to work with the community.

“The amount of work that they do in the community engagement space is amazing.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Brett Moller said more needed to be done on crime in the suburbs too.

“Crime is through the roof in the suburbs, the southern corridor needs proper resourcing and we need to work with the state government and lobby for that,” Cr Moller said.

He said Edmonton and Gordonvale police stations were thinly stretched.

Originally published as Cairns crime: Cairns Regional Council commits to combined police liaison initiative