Toowoomba residents take aim at Queensland government politicians at youth crime forum at Empire Theatre
Frustrated and fearful residents exchanged tense words at the Toowoomba crime forum on Wednesday night. Here’s what they had to say.
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As residents detailed their harrowing experiences with youth crime, the community’s outpouring of grief transformed into anger.
Hundreds of people piled in to the Empire Theatre’s Armitage Centre on Wednesday night to a packed community forum, demanding answers to the surging problem.
Their concerns were galvanised following the shocking and senseless death of 75-year-old Robert Brown, who police allege was assaulted while waiting for a taxi.
High-ranking police officials, including Commissioner Katarina Carroll, head of the Youth Justice Taskforce Assistant Commissioner George Marchesin and Darling Downs Distict Superintendent Doug McDonald were joined by Police Minister Mark Ryan and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard.
They came to Toowoomba armed with answers, including a suite of youth justice programs and the deployment of additional police resources.
The truth for a lot of concerned residents in the crowd was simpler – they wanted their voices heard.
When the meeting began, the initially subdued crowd appeared willing to hear what solutions they had to offer.
But as time grew on, the temperature of the room began to change.
The crowd gradually became restless and agitated, and finally erupted.
Officials initially indicated the meeting would not become a ‘town hall’ style event where audience members had their say, however frustrated audience members eventually took matters into their own hands.
Many spoke about their feelings of helplessness, and the anxiety they faced living day-to-day believing they could be the next victim.
Others wanted concrete answers from the government on issues like self defence.
Wednesday night’s forum was organised in the wake of The Chronicle’s Enough is Enough campaign, which called on the state government to offer solutions to youth crime following Mr Brown’s death.
Growing up in Toowoomba, Melissa Carter said she never imagined she would one day fear walking the streets of the once quiet and calm city.
The mum of two children under the age of four said while she has not been affected directly by young offenders she knows many people who have, which has left her in a constant state of fear.
“I’m absolutely petrified to leave the house with my two little boys,” she said.
“To be honest I don’t really even leave my house anymore, but not even your home is a safe place anymore because everyone is being targeted.
“My biggest concern is what kind of a world will my children be growing up into?”
Issuing a plea for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to listen to Toowoomba residents and their concerns, Ms Carter said the Premier’s absence at the forum was “very disappointing”.
“(She needs) to hear us and listen to our community because people are absolutely screaming to be heard,” Ms Carter said.
“Out of the 300 people in attendance (on Wednesday night) I would say at least 95 per cent were victims of crime but that also has a ripple effect on their families, their children and their neighbours too.”
Ms Carter, who has years of experience in the youth work, child safety and family and domestic violence sector, said while she understood many issues stemmed from intergenerational trauma, more action needed to be taken.
She said she would like to see more funding provided for rehabilitation, early intervention, drug and alcohol prevention programs, as well as the introduction of electronic monitoring devices to reduce repeat offending.
Thanking the Queensland Police Service for keeping the community safe, Ms Carter said she believed the juvenile justice system and state government needed to do more.
“Magistrates and the state government are all talk, no action – and they are the problem … they are undoing all the hard work of the police,” she said.
“I used to walk down the street and feel comfortable but I don’t anymore … I drove past (where Robert Brown was tragically killed) and felt physically sick. That tragedy never should have happened.”
Toowoomba resident Aaron McMahon said he was “pretty underwhelmed” by the forum and said he believed some of the comments to be “mind-blowing”.
“I thought there was just a lot of talk, swerving, side steps and a lot of very good, relevant questions that we as a community have that simply were not unanswered,” he said.
“It was supposed to be they (the government representatives) were coming to listen and all they did was talk at us for 90 minutes so I think that then amplified that frustration.”
After speaking with other attendees at the forum, Mr McMahon claimed the Toowoomba community’s concerns were not being recognised as it was not a “Labor-held seat”.
“Politicians are elected to serve us – they are not elected for us to serve them or any of their affiliates,” Mr McMahon said.
“Trying to make some sort of counter claim about breach of bail is just nonsense to me – we have to try absolutely everything.
“If they were serious, they would be sitting down with our local member.”
Property developer and philanthropist Clive Armitage said he was pleased with the forum and hoped it would lead to the implementation of additional police resources in Toowoomba.
“All members of the community had the opportunity to put their point of view (across) and discuss things,” he said.
“I’m hoping to see more police on the beat and see them around town a little bit more.”
During the forum, Mr Armitage revealed he was approached by two youth offenders about a week ago.
“The first one drew a machete and advanced, the second advanced and had an iron bar,” he said.
“They ran, but they will be back and I will be ready for them.
“An Englishman’s house is his castle.”
Police and Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan said the state government was committed to toughening up legislations and deploying more resources to Toowoomba.
“People are concerned, people are angry and they’re entitled to be,” he said.
“They’re impacted by crime and that’s a terrible thing.
“That’s why the government is acting and why we’re here tonight – to listen but also to tell the people of Toowoomba that we’ve got some plans for the future.”
The Police Minister the forum reinforced his understanding about how the public felt about the rise of crime and commended the residents who attended or tuned in online.
“The message was loud and clear before tonight,” he said.
“People want to see action and obviously the government is taking action and we can always look to do more.
“(They) should not be ashamed of their feelings – they should be proud that they care about their community.”
Discussion surrounding a trial involving electronic monitoring bracelets was also had on the night with many members of the public in favour of introducing the strategy permanently.
Mr Ryan said while only a small cohort was subject to the trial, the evaluation produced very good and successful outcomes.
He said further evaluations and discussions on what could be delivered were being had.
“As soon as a decision can be made public we will do that.”
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Originally published as Toowoomba residents take aim at Queensland government politicians at youth crime forum at Empire Theatre
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