Youth crime forum: 14 explosive moments that defined heated event
From a mother saying she was too scared to leave the house, to a prominent figure saying he was “ready” if criminals returned to his home, these were the most shocking moments of Wednesday’s explosive youth crime forum held in Toowoomba.
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A forum to address the growing youth crime problem was held in Toowoomba on Wednesday night, with state government ministers addressing the crowd in attendance at Empire Theatre’s Armitage Centre.
Here are some of the most explosive moments from the night:
Tipping point reached
It was an initially subdued night at the youth crime forum on Wednesday night, as police and government representatives outlined their plans to tackle the growing issue.
But slowly, things turned on their head.
Agitated by a lack of two-way communication, questions from the floor began about 90 minutes into the event.
It proved to be the tipping point.
The heated and off-script questions came in thick and fast for the next two hours.
Questions begin
The first question of the night came from an irate 70-year-old, born-and-bred Toowoomba man who said he had never seen crime in the city as “bad as it is now”.
He challenged ministers Mark Ryan and Leanne Linard to come to Toowoomba “without a security detail or a media scrum” on a Thursday morning and hang out by the Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre ATMs and watch the muggings.
Ms Linard was quick to say she was in Toowoomba regularly to meet with Youth Justice employees and other city officials
“I come to Toowoomba, I come without a security detail or any media, which is why you were not aware that I had been here, on the ground talking to locals,” she said.
“I am not just reading emails, I am on the ground, talking to front line service and police about what is happening and if there are security issues around ATMs then I know my police colleagues would be the ones to deal with it.”
The man responded that the government needs to give more than 48 hours notice and 250 capacity venue.
“You owe Toowoomba more than that.”
‘What about me?’
The second question had the potential to totally derail the evening with a woman saying she was raped by a juvenile who walked out of the Childrens’ Court without serving any time in detention.
“I can’t even say his name, all they care about is him and how it might ruin his life if I say his name, but what about my life and what about me,” she said.
The disclosure was met with applause from the crowd who called for answers.
Mr Ryan replied by acknowledging the woman’s courage and then offered his condolences.
“I am sorry that has happened to you, I really am,” he said.
He went on to say the government was investing in services for sexual assault, along with reforms to protect and support them.
The woman responded by saying she didn’t want support.
“I want justice,” she said.
‘What is reasonable force?’
Another question came from a woman who wanted to know what she could do to protect herself.
Superintendent Doug McDonald towed a cautious line.
“You do have a right to defend yourself and especially another that you are caring for,” he said
“Can you clarify that for us please,” someone called out.
“What is reasonable force?”
“We want an answer.”
Superintendent McDonald tried to explain what “reasonable force” meant but was continually interrupted.
“If someone breaks into my house, how am I to know if they are armed?” one man said.
“That time someone tried, it took an hour and half for the police to arrive.
“If they had got in they would not have been walking out.”
The idea of mandatory minimum sentences was always going to be raised and when it was Mr Ryan said it was important that judges and magistrates had space to exercise their discretion when deciding how to deal with an offender.
“There could be some adverse consequences for some offenders,” he said.
This line went down like a lead balloon, with audience members howling that there should be “adverse consequences for all offenders”.
Discounts for victims
Midway through the evening, Sarah Orton stood up and started her question by praising the police and thanking the ministers for their time, but quickly changed her tune.
“I would love it if you could take this back to your next sitting but, in regard to victims who have their vehicles stolen that may not be recovered or they may be written off, often the insurance payouts don’t cover the cost of replacement,” she said.
“I am just wondering if the government, considering there are no consequences for these young people, is there any discounts the government can offer to people who purchase their goods after they have been stolen from them.”
“There are a lot of victims here who may like to know there is some support available if there is nothing the Youth Justice system can do to follow up with these young people.”
‘All the boys did conscription’
Army service was also raised, with Janice Humphreys saying that when she was young, “all the boys did conscription”.
“They learnt self-respect … discipline, a lot learnt a trade and a lot will say that strict environment made them the man they are today,” she said.
“The judicial system is not working, so we need to look somewhere else and I believe the army.”
She then asked for everyone who was a victim of crime to stand up.
The majority of people took to their feet.
‘A man’s home is his castle’
Well-known public identity Clive Armitage also questioned the use of force after he was approached by two people at his home.
Mr Armitage stood to speak at the event as Superintendent McDonald attempted to move the audience back to the intended format of the event, which included representatives speaking one-on-one to concerned residents.
But the audience demanded they listened to the community, and Mr Armitage was allowed to speak.
“I was approached by two assailants who entered my property. The first one pulled out a machete out of his right tracksuit trousers and
advanced forcefully,” he said.
“The second one was taking photographs and had an iron bar.
“They ran, but I’m told they will come back and I am ready for them.
“An Englishman’s home is his castle. Can I defend myself in my own house?”
Superintendent McDonald said people had the right to defend themselves.
‘We are on the cusp of anarchy’
University researcher Geoff Castle said Toowoomba was nearing “anarchy” and police needed to be able to pursue offenders in stolen cars.
Mr Castle told the fired-up audience youth justice laws were “clearly failing” the 98 per cent of law abiding citizens, to rapturous applause.
“You cannot solve the problem with the same thinking that created the problem in the first place,” he said.
“We need to stop being weak and we need to start being strong.
“We are on the cusp of anarchy.”
Mr Castle said he had “vigilante thoughts” after his car was stolen and wanted police pursuit laws that were “handcuffing” police changed.
He added he heard via social media “gangs of hooded youths” were walking the streets.
“It’s the guilty who walk free,” he said, to thunderous applause.
‘It breaks my heart’
Spencer said his 10-year-old daughter was too scared to visit Grand Central following the tragic death of Robert Brown.
Holding back tears, he said his daughter told him she didn’t want to be pushed in the back “like Mr Brown”.
“It breaks my heart when I tell her I’m trying to keep her safe,” he said.
“I know the police are trying to keep us safe.”
He wanted to see a crackdown similar to the state government’s approach to motorcycle gangs.
Spencer added he wanted to see an increase to minimal penalties.
“Do something with these kids. You need to do it now,” he said.
‘My staff are all frightened’
A woman who manages a handbag store said she had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after repeated burglaries.
Sandra Flack runs a store at Clifford Gardens, which she said had become a hotspot for theft.
“The last 12 months have been absolutely horrific,” Ms Flack told the audience.
“I get a lot of customers talking to me about how frightened they are.
“Over the past two weeks it has been daily.”
Ms Flack said gangs regularly visited the store and stalked it out.
“It’s the most confronting, frightening thing to experience,” she said.
“My staff are all frightened. Something needs to be done.”
Superintendent McDonald said he would speak with Ms Flack following to meeting to discuss increasing policing resources at the shopping centre.
‘Where is our premier?’
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard dodged questions about whereabouts of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The Premier sent Ms Linard and Police Minster Mark Ryan as state government representatives.
But Ms Linard did not explain why Ms Palaszczuk did not visit Toowoomba herself, leading to jeers from the audience.
‘Prisoner in my own home’
A woman told the audience she wanted to see more youth offenders with tracking bracelets, saying she is scared to shop with her children.
“I’m a mum of boys and I’m absolutely terrified of what my children are going to grow up to,” Melissa Carter said.
“I’m a prisoner in my own home.
“I don’t want to leave my home because I’m so scared.”
Mr Ryan confirmed the trial was only in certain parts of the state, and the state government was considering expanding the problem.
“I hear your advocacy,” he said.
Controversial measures
Others offered more controversial ideas for what they believed could solve youth crime.
One of those ideas suggested was to introduce a curfew for youths.
Mr Ryan quickly shut down that idea, saying most youths do the right thing and a curfew would affect young people who worked late.
Ms Linard said many youth offenders already had curfews imposed on them following sentencing.
Enough is Enough
The Chronicle editor Jordan Philp questioned Mr Ryan and Ms Linard as to when the state government would set key performance indicators around youth crime.
In addressing the question, Ms Linard said the forum had not been organised due to The Chronicle’s Enough is Enough campaign, despite it being organised after days of questioning.
Ms Linard also refused to outline any concrete details around ministerial KPIs regarding youth crime.
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Originally published as Youth crime forum: 14 explosive moments that defined heated event
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