NRL great Johnathan Thurston met with Police Minister Mark Ryan and senior officers on youth crime announcement for the Far North
The state government slapped down calls for a general youth curfew to help combat the rocketing crime rates in the Far North during a ministerial visit to Cairns on Thursday.
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The state government slapped down calls for a general youth curfew to help combat the rocketing crime rates in the Far North during a ministerial visit to Cairns on Thursday.
Police Minister Mark Ryan joined Assistant Commissioner and Youth Crime Taskforce Commander George Marchesini and other senior Cairns police officers at the PCYC on Thursday to provide updates on a number of youth initiatives, including the announcement of a $250,000 contract for the Johnathan Thurston Academy.
When told many Cairns residents called for a youth curfew to be implemented in FNQ, he said there was one in place in breach of bail conditions.
“Curfews already exist as a condition of bail for people who break the law,” he said.
“Why should the good people be punished for the actions of a few”.
Mr Ryan said the State Government funded youth program which involved a partnership between Queensland Police and the JT Academy has been proven to significantly reduce juvenile offending among its participants.
“I’m very pleased to see an independent evaluation highlighting the success of the You Got This program which has received funding under the Community Based Crime Action Committees initiative,” he said.
“We are seeing terrific outcomes intervening early to support disengaged and at-risk youth through effective programs such as You Got This (which) is vital in diverting youth away from criminal behaviour”.
Mr Thurston said he was excited to continue his successful youth programs in the region as participants often re-engaged with school and became mentors on future programs.
“I’m so proud of the young people who are showing up to this program and keep showing up for themselves,” Mr Thurston said.
“This is an amazing group of young adults with so much potential. To see the changes they’re making in themselves and their commitment to take a different direction in life just blows my mind.”
Act Asst Comm Marchesini said these invention programs allow the opportunity to make change and turn lives around.
“Prevention and disruption of youth offending is integral to us combating youth crime issues,” he said.
Mr Ryan declined to comment on how discussions are progressing at a ministerial level on the establishment of a youth detention centre in Cairns.
“All I can say is progress is being made,” he said.
Mr Ryan was also asked to comment on why the State Government took the approach of promising 150 extra officers for each region instead of targeting the region with the highest increases in crime, such as FNQ, with more police.
“Hand on heart, on every measure there are more police in the Queensland Police Service than when we were elected,” he said.
“Where they are stationed is a matter for the police service.
Mr Ryan said the police had been provided with the funding required but it was up to the commissioner to decide where officers were stationed.
Mr Ryan said police will begin industry consultation in Cairns next week in lead up to rollout of remote engine immobiliser trial.
The immobilisers with the pincode lock and the ‘kill switch’ are expected to be the most affordable, and will be available through a subsidy grant from mid-2023.
“Vehicle immobilisers will provide a very worthwhile extra layer of security for a person’s vehicle.
“For many people one of the most significant investments they make in their lives is the purchase of a motor vehicle, and it is an investment worth protecting.
“I urge people living in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa to consider taking advantage of this trial when it begins.”
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Originally published as NRL great Johnathan Thurston met with Police Minister Mark Ryan and senior officers on youth crime announcement for the Far North
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