‘Crime capital of the north’: Shame tactic mooted to highlight ‘failures’

A weekend of mayhem on the roads has caused fed-up residents to push legal boundaries as anti-crime advocates plan a shame campaign to highlight a failure to address skyrocketing crime.

An average of 55 property charges a day laid during a weekend spree has fed-up residents pushing legal boundaries as anti-crime advocates plan a shame campaign to highlight a perceived government failure to address skyrocketing youth crime.

In efforts to get the attention of politicians in Brisbane, anti-crime advocate Perri Conti plans to rent a roadside billboard highlighting Cairns as the “crime capital of the north” and a perceived failure of government, the court system, and child services “to look after us”.

“We are renting a billboard on the southside to pi** off the government. If this does not get their attention what will?” she said.

Artwork for a proposed roadside billboard to be installed on the Bruce Highway on the southside of Cairns. Picture: Perri Conti

The vocal campaigner, who was granted a one-on-one meeting to discuss the Cairns youth crime issue with Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard last month, expected local business to chip in and finance the outdoor advertising space.

Cairns MP Michael Healy said he had fielded a number of calls in regard to the escalation of criminal activity at the weekend.

“I have spoken to police and the government is acutely aware of the challenges we face,” he said.

Asked about the proposed billboard Mr Healy said: “I don’t understand why you would do that.”

An early model Mitsubishi Lancer crashed into a light pole on Anderson St last week and was towed from the scene by Barron River Towing. The driver of the vehicle was seen running from the crash. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“I am aware of the frustration and I share the frustration, we need to be looking at solutions but I just don’t see how that would help,” he said.

A crowd-funding campaign has been set-up to raise money for the billboard.

On Monday police confirmed reports of stolen cars ramming civilian and emergency service vehicles amid daily social media posts of alleged stolen cars crashing in suburban streets.

Messages calling out Far North MPs have appeared throughout the Cairns CBD in response to almost 1000 cars stolen since the start of the year. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Ms Conti is not the only one driven to action in response to 306 property related charges laid in the past week.

Cairns dad Chris Wotherspoon said the situation had become so serious on the southside that he was concerned for the safety of his family on the road.

“Me and the missus are too scared to go out with the kids in the car on the weekend,” he said.

“Every morning you wake up and three or four cars are stolen and the helicopter is flying around right now chasing that Kona.”

Queensland police officers arrest two alleged offenders during a weekend crack down on Cairns property crime. Picture: Queensland Police Service

Driving home from the shops at the weekend Mr Wotherspoon “just snapped” when he alleges a stolen car driving dangerously cut him off in traffic.

“I was heading home and was keeping an eye on this car and he just cut me off and that’s when I said ‘I’ve had enough’,” he said.

“In my mind I wanted to ram them but there was too many civilians and I didn’t want to risk anyone’s life.”

A stolen vehicle crashed out the front of the Spear N Tackle store on Aumuller St, Bungalow on Friday. Picture: Facebook

And on Friday outside the Spear N Tackle on Aumuller St business owner Peter Williams witnessed an alleged stolen car smash into a taxi then plough into a light pole.

“It’s in plague proportions, it’s out of control,” he said.

“I got my car smashed in front of my house, they threw a wheelie bin through the window.”

The business owner said the stolen car was being pursued by a group of vigilantes when it crashed.

Police at the scene of a damaged taxi on Friday afternoon, alleged to be rammed by a stolen car on Aumuller St. Picture: Facebook

Paul Drabble, founder of new citizen action group called the Cairns Crime Responders will host a Zoom hook-up on Wednesday to rally support for a buddy system to protect the elderly and to back up police amid the stolen car epidemic.

Far North Inspector Kevin Goan on Monday called for calm and for the community to support vulnerable people, but strongly discouraged vigilantism and said rogue groups attacking alleged teen car thieves would be charged.

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Originally published as ‘Crime capital of the north’: Shame tactic mooted to highlight ‘failures’