Mackay victims of crime demand stronger punishment for youth offenders

Fed-up victims of crime are demanding harsher penalties for repeat youth offenders after a surge in crime and a suspected fatal overdose. See what they’re demanding of politicians.

Residents fed up with youth offenders “getting off with a slap of the hand” have rallied to demand an overhaul of the justice system.

It comes as police probe the suspected fatal overdose of 15-year-old Jerome Banu after ingesting an unknown substance in a North Mackay home, the incident also landing five more teenagers in hospital.

Mackay police are investigating the death of 15-year-old Jerome Banu after a suspected overdose.

Victim of Crime Mackay founder Carolyn Quabba said she was speaking out after a youth in April allegedly invaded her home while her husband slept in the neighbouring room.

Victim of Crime Mackay Facebook page founder Carolyn Quabba says she spent three months following the assault in her own home wondering what she could do about the youth crime issue. That is how she came up with the Victim of Crime Mackay Facebook page. Picture: Heidi Petith

“I was assaulted,” Mrs Quabba said, adding she doubted the intruder would be appropriately punished.

“(I felt) really vulnerable, scared, unprotected and unsafe in my own home.”

Victims of Crime Mackay Facebook page founder Carolyn Quabba is selling bumper stickers to raise public awareness about the number of people impacted by crime. Mrs Quabba is pictured speaking out at a Crime and Justice Rally held at the Bluewater Quay. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mrs Quabba said she wanted harsher penalties introduced for youth offenders to curb Mackay’s crime rate, launching a petition and offering a solution of a military-style bootcamp.

Also speaking at the rally was Mackay Crime Watch Facebook group administrator Noela Lowrey who said she believed the current system was broken, highlighting the recent alleged stabbing at Blacks Beach.

She said she believed drug-fuelled crime was a particular issue and the surge in stolen cars was driving up insurance premiums.

Ron Lowrey, Noela Lowrey and Glenn Condon at the Crime and Justice Rally held at the Bluewater Quay, Mackay on Saturday. Picture: Heidi Petith

“We are told detention is a last resort for the under 18s as is recording convictions,” Mrs Lowrey said.

“Most of us understand this and are willing to believe that our youth deserves some leeway but where is the line drawn?”

And through tears, the mother of a 15 year old girl admitted to hospital after the North Mackay incident said she presently only had two options to see her daughter: either collect her from a mental health service or in a body bag.

The mum is fighting to introduce a bill alongside Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert, after her daughter’s rights served as a blockade when she tried asking hospital staff whether her child, who had runaway from home, was alive.

Hundreds resonated with the mother’s story including parents and past youth runaways, offering messages of support.

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew speaking at the Crime and Justice Rally held at the Bluewater Quay, Mackay on Saturday. Mr Andrew said solving the high youth crime rate would take a community approach. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mirani MP Stephen Andrew said whether it was a bootcamp, a revision of childhood rights or some other solution, only the community could collectively tackle youth crime.

“We are in a situation where there’s a degradation of society,” Mr Andrew said, adding a “pack mentality” was spurring on many recidivist youth offenders.

Mr Andrew suggested Mackay could adopt an approach used elsewhere whereby Aboriginal elders take in families to do activities including fencing and mustering, offering a reprieve from drugs and crime.

Don Smith and wife Buddy, of Mount Pleasant, at the Crime and Justice Rally held at the Bluewater Quay, Mackay on Saturday. Mr Smith said the government was more preoccupied with protecting criminals' wellbeing than the safety of its citizens. Picture: Heidi Petith

Dawson MP George Christensen also shared some thoughts in a letter read at the rally.

“Real change starts with the people, not the politicians so I strongly commend you on what you are doing,” the letter read.

Mr Christensen’s letter said he supported the bootcamp proposition with residents “at the end of their tether” and “resorting to acts of vigilantism”.

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