Police Minister Mark Ryan pledges $2m to NQ PCYCs

Police Minister Mark Ryan has acknowledged the anger being felt across the state as community groups engage in protests against the government’s handling of youth crime.

Hundreds turned out to the Townsville Rally Against Crime on Saturday morning. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Police Minister Mark Ryan has acknowledged the ‘anger and grief’ being felt across the state as community action groups engage in protests against the government’s handling of youth crime.

Mr Ryan made the comments while in Townsville to announce funding for upgrades to the Upper Ross PCYC and Palm Island PCYC facilities and programs.

Each facility will receive $1m in spending for new infrastructure and programs, with an aim to contributing to crime prevention through youth intervention.

“We know that when you intervene early and you provide good support to young people, they’re less likely to be in the criminal justice system,” Mr Ryan said.

“This is an investment in prevention, it’s an investment in young people, but it’s also an investment in community safety.”

Police Minister Mark Ryan in Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

When asked about recent demonstrations at Townsville’s Anti-Crime Rally where the burned out husks of stolen cars were used as display pieces to critique the government, Mr Ryan insisted the government was listening.

“I appreciate people’s anger, concern and grief about how they’ve been impacted by crime. People express that in many different ways and they’re entitled to do so,” Mr Ryan said.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler talks to media. Picture Lachie Millard

“What I can say to those people is that we acknowledge that, we hear that and that’s why we’re doing all of these things to address your concern.”

Upper Ross PCYC and Queensland Police Service Sergeant Frank Lawler said the funding at the Rasmussen facility would help increase the number of programs being run and the number of kids being engaged with.
“We’ve got two mezzanine floors that we want to open up and get some airconditioning in. The funds will definitely go a long way to creating spaces where we can get more kids involved,” Sergeant Lawler said.

“It’s about trying to divert kids away from places like shopping centres where they’ll hang out and hassle people.

“With the new funding, that’ll increase our capacity and allow us to run programs on more nights and even into the weekends.”

Acting Deputy Police Commisioner Mark Wheeler said that recent operation Victor Unison had seen about 1200 young people arrested in relation to 2000 offences.

“Here in Townsville we’ve seen some 200 young people arrested on over 250 charges,” he said. “There is no magic wand to this. In some cases this is generations in the making and it is going to take time.”

Originally published as Police Minister Mark Ryan pledges $2m to NQ PCYCs