Police to rollout out youth justice co-responder program in Toowoomba
The new Youth Justice minister will be in Toowoomba today to announce the rollout of a police program proven to reduce teen crime in other parts of the state, after a promise from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during the Enough Is Enough campaign. Read the details here.
Toowoomba
Don't miss out on the headlines from Toowoomba. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The new Youth Justice minister Di Farmer will today announce the rollout of specialised youth crime co-responder teams in the Darling Downs District as authorities look for new ways to combat persistent teen offenders.
As of Thursday, there are five co-responder teams operating 24/7 in the district in a highly visible marked police vehicle.
The program pairs experienced police officers with Youth Justice case workers who will proactively engage with offenders and their families in a model that has proven to work in other jurisdictions.
It will be one of five in play across Queensland, thanks to an additional $100 million in State Government funding for early intervention and rehabilitation programs proven to deter young people from offending.
The announcements make good on a promise from Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in the wake of Robert Brown’s death, allegedly at the hands of Issac Zane Cubby, just three weeks after he turned 18.
“I believe it is about striking a balance between holding offenders to account, while giving young people in the early stages of offending the chance to stay out of trouble with the law and the consequences of entering the youth justice system,” Ms Farmer said.
“Rehabilitation and diversion programs are critical in helping to get young people turn away from offending and towards being a law-abiding member of the community.
“Our joint youth justice and police co-responder teams do a great job engaging with young people wherever they are.
“Every time our co-responder teams engage with a young person at risk of offending, it’s an important opportunity to check on their welfare, connect them to the right service or support, and show them that someone cares about their choices.”
The co-offender program announcement was the first win for the community as part of the Chronicle’s Enough Is Enough youth crime campaign launched after the attack on Mr Brown.
Darling Downs Superintendent Doug McDonald said he was keen to see the teams in action given their success in other jurisdictions.
“The idea is to engage with at-risk youths to divert them from offending,” he said.
“Having Youth Justice case workers involved means the families can access referrals and have that connection to people who have the experience and knowledge of what are the best supports for a particular child.”
“They will work with children who are serious repeat offenders as well as those who are at risk of falling into that type of offending.”
The team’ duties will include transporting young people home from places of risk or if they’re engaging in anti-social behaviour, find missing children, taking young people to hospital to treat injuries, connecting them to vocational training and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors, and follow up with families in crisis situations.
They also run bail checks during weekends and evenings.
The police officers assigned to the unit will come from a mix of the investigative units, general duties and police liaison team.
They will work out of a specialised hub and have access to resources from QPS and the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.
Supt McDonald said the program is one of several initiatives rolled out since the Police Minister Mark Ryan held a public forum in Toowoomba on February 14.
“Generally speaking we have seen the numbers of youth offences decreasing since the forum,” he said.
“We have had extra funding through Operation Victor Unison and it has proved to be a good tool to have extra police on the ground, in areas like the shopping centres.”
“Our mobile Police Beat has also been out in the community.”
Police are also reporting above average numbers of arrests and offenders held on remand.
“We are taking a multi-pronged approach,” Supt McDonald said.
The rollout was welcomed by Voice for Victims founder Ken Cunliffe.
Along with being the victim of a home invasion, Mr Cunliffe has been actively campaigning for a more open justice system so that victims can get the closure they need.
He recently made a submission to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into Support Provided to Victims of Crimes.
“I think the co-responder program is a very good idea,” Mr Cunliffe said.
“The worst thing we can do is maintain the status quo because it is not working.
“Some things will work and some will not but any change is going to be positive.”
Originally published as Police to rollout out youth justice co-responder program in Toowoomba
One woman holds the key to solving 50-year-old double murder
It has been 50 years since two nurses, Lorraine Wilson and Wendy Evans, were murdered at the bottom of the Toowoomba Range, and despite two coronial inquests, the answer to who did it lies with a mysterious woman who has never been identified.
Fraudster given firm push after asking to delay sentence
A man convicted of defrauding the government out of more than $20,000 was warned about seeking to further delay his sentencing.