Former cop pins crime on Qld’s ‘failing’ legal system

Hundreds of residents have packed a Qld town hall calling for action to combat crime and anti-social behaviour stemming as a former cop pointed the finger at magistrates. VOTE IN OUR POLL

A former Queensland police officer has slammed the legal system, saying it held a lot of blame for the ongoing crime crisis.

Chris Nelson spoke during a community meeting at Maryborough Town Hall on Thursday, November 21, about the ongoing crime scourge.

“The police officers are doing their job,” he said, before pointing the finger at the courts.

“Bail is quite complicated, as police will tell you, but it’s up to the courts to protect society, but they don’t, and they haven’t for 30 years.

“You’ll see police officers of my vintage absolutely gobsmacked at what these poor people have to go through these days. Police these days should be paid $1m a year.”

Hundreds of people attended the meeting, with people sitting on the mezzanine level, standing around the edges, even crowding the outside halls to listen in.

There was serious dissatisfaction in the air with authorities, council, and health services during the meeting, with calls for change to legislation, a more active council, and increased patrols from police officers.

Local business owner Steve Bates said it was time for the local council to be held accountable.

“There are enough systems out there now, and enough liaison officers and police officers happy to pat each other on the back and tell each other what a great job they’re doing,” he said.

Former police officer Chris Nelson speaks at Maryborough Town Hall. Picture: Phillip Fynes-Clinton

“What we need most of all is for all these people to be accountable for what they do.

“The council keeps saying there’s nothing they can do, but you guys were the ones who voted to have a prison in your backyard.

“It’s not something you can’t do anything about, it’s something you won’t put your hands up to do something about.”

Steve Bates speaks at Maryborough Town Hall. Picture: Phillip Fynes-Clinton

Steve said locals were left feeling helpless in the face of the ongoing crisis.

“We have a situation in town where people are being abused, and you’re not allowed to speak back,” he said.

“You’re not game to help them because it’s a bit like a dog. You can go up to one and it’ll wag its tail and be happy, but another one will bite your hand off.”

Assistant Commissioner Custodial Operations Northern and Central Region, Eloise Hamlett, told the crowd releasing inmates was “a bit complex”, which was met with multiple heckles.

“We try to provide support for as much people as possible,” she said.

“Can we do better? Absolutely.”

Superintendent Anne Vogler speaks to the crowd at Maryborough Town Hall. Picture: Phillip Fynes-Clinton

Queensland Police superintendent Anne Vogler stressed that mental-health issues weren’t a criminal offence, and it would take more than just police presence to fix the ongoing problems.

“This is far greater than police trying to arrest our way out of the issue,” she said.

“This is a problem we all have an agency to come together and work with each other to get a result that will keep you safe and, more importantly, make you feel safe.

“We’ve suggested for us to get together as a group, try to get some strategies, and listen to the people (of Maryborough). We can do better, we know that, so we need to look at the systems, and we need to be better at things.”

People on the mezzanine level of the Maryborough Town Hall during a community meeting about behaviour in the CBD. Picture: Phillip Fynes-Clinton

Later, the crowd erupted into applause when a police officer first mentioned a defendant going to jail for a crime in Maryborough.

“This isn’t a government problem, this is an everybody problem,” Inspector Paul Algie later said.

He also called for compassion, saying it wasn’t “a crime to be homeless”.

Throughout the night, residents warmed to the idea that mental health was a driving factor of the crisis, and one speaker was met with applause after pleading for new mental wellbeing centres in the area.

Inspector Paul Algie was mobbed by concerned locals after the meeting. Picture: Phillip Fynes-Clinton

Earlier, locals called for judges to be elected like they are in the US to ensure those not tough on crime are dumped.

Bill Gumb made the comments ahead of a public meeting in Maryborough in response to growing street crimes.

“ Australia needs to introduce a system whereby the public can decide if judges deserve their position. Every 4 years the public should be able to sack any judges that aren’t serving us properly.

But Cameron Robert Fee disagreed, saying people should ‘stand in a Magistrate’s shoes for a day.’

Shannon Cozens responded: ‘Cameron stand in a victims shoes for one second.’’

The comments come as the man who exposed the underbelly of Maryborough’s CBD disturbing crime says he wants action in weeks, not months to combat street offences which have ranged from naked ranks to rooftop stand-offs.

Daniel Beattie said Maryborough, which is normally more famous for its Mary Poppins Festival and heritage charm, remained a great place to live but it needed help to stay that way.

“This town is a great town but we just need help,’’ Mr Beattie said.

“We want help now. We don’t want it in 12 months’ time

“We want (help over) 12 weeks.’’

His comments come ahead of a public meeting called by newly elected Maryborough MP John Barounis at Maryborough City Hall at 5.30pm Thursday 21st November to discuss anti-social issues in the CBD.

Mr Barounis is keen to hear the public’s concerns and begin the process to help address the issue with business owners.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DONE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

The meeting comes after this publication first highlighted the efforts of Mr Beattie who has shared videos and images showing defecating in the street, a man stripping naked and walking the streets and two emergencies in Bazaar St involving a rooftop standoff and library-closing assault all within 72 hours.

Maryborough is normally more famous for its Mary Poppins Festival than crime.

His concerns have been backed by numerous business owners.

LaFamilia restaurant owner Chuck D’Zilva says prisoners, many of whom suffer from mental health issues, are released into the community with little support and are often burn the small amount of money they have on drugs within the first few hours.

A man walks around the Maryborough CBD in his underwear.

“There’s no transitional housing, there’s no drug rehabilitation stuff,’’ Mr D’Zilva said.

Maryborough salon owner Sonia McLeod is among the business owners who have been calling police about junkies screaming and fighting outside her shop.

“If you’re going to have a prison, you need to have transitional housing”.

Mr Daniel said he hoped there would be representatives from Corrective Services and police to answer questions at Thursday night’s meeting.

He wants see a permanent Police Beat set up around the Queen’s Park area so officers can patrol both sides of the CBD on-foot.

Police have already started extra patrols in the Maryborough CBD as part of Operation Whisky Unison.

Maryborough Patrol Group Inspector Paul Algie said police would take action against criminal offences, including illegal drug activity and intimidating social behaviour.

“It’s very important to me and all police that the community not only is safe, but also feels safe.”

Mr Beattie said he had been pushing for the meeting for six months.

He said he wanted to see a street safe program brought in quickly, with experts brought in from other areas like Darwin or Cairns to show what they did, if needed.

“If they put funding in I just can’t see they don’t just pull their finger out and get it done.’’

In a post on Facebook, he said he had already seen some progress with the recent police patrols.

“It’s nice and quiet here today. It’s a beautiful place. Let’s keep it that way.’’

WHAT YOU’VE SAID ON FACEBOOK TODAY

Imogene Amor

• Strip all prisons of luxuries its punishment for doing wrong not a resort.
• Build a mental health and rehab centre out of town, a permanent wing and a temp wing, and a returning to civilisation wing not released until complete the 18 month course, Make sure there is NA & AA based support and after care support
• Crack down on drug raids push push push til you get all you need to get on top of the issue
• Stop the rorts since Covid and bring back affordable rents based on the property’s yr of builds and conditions.
• Hold all judges accountable and fire them.

Dennis Daly

Meth is the main problem find the source cut the supply by foul means if necessary just get rid of the suppliers need good intelligence and hard police to rid the town of it.

Ben Collingwood

Dennis Daly the system doesn't want to break the hold of drugs in our community. Sit in the CBD for a few days you can pick the dealers and runners. 2 weeks ago there was a guy dealing drugs using the Town Library. Nothing was done to stop him. The swamp needs draining.