Ann Wason Moore looks to find a solution as youth crime is more apparent on the Gold Coast

Ann Wason Moore say lock up your cars and lock up your kids … because it seems every child is public enemy number one, according to the city’s online community groups.

What’s worse than youth crime?

Fear of youth crime.

Which is why, given the Gold Coast’s current crime climate, it’s a case of not only locking up your cars, but locking up your children too.

There is no denying that youth crime is a huge problem, but not every kid is a crim.

In fact, the vast majority are innocent … even if society is treating them as guilty.

While vehicles may be the target for certain young criminals, it seems juveniles in general have become public enemy number one when it comes to community groups on social media.

It’s come to the point where I have asked my son not to ride his bike to the local park with his neighbourhood friend for fear I’ll find his photo posted on suburban crime watch pages.

This is not a case of a mother being overly worried, he’s already had to explain once to a middle-aged woman holding up a phone in his direction that he’s just a teen who likes to look out at the water while chatting to his mate after school.

And he’s far from the only one being unfairly victimised.

My feed is full of concerned citizens warning neighbours of ‘suspicious’ activity from children, such as walking down the footpath.

That is not an exaggeration.

CITIZEN’S ARREST YOUTH CRIMS: TOP COP SAYS DON’T INTERVENE, WAIT FOR POLICE AMID JUVENILE CRIME WAVE

One woman recently posted she had seen a dark-haired teen wandering back and forth down a Mermaid Beach street in broad daylight – midday even – apparently casing the parked cars.

The comment underneath her post? A reply from the poor boy’s mother, explaining he was on his way to the surf, forgot his fins and decided to head back home to retrieve them, before deciding not to bother and return back to the beach.

Hours and dozens of comments, including actual begging from the parent, the post was removed.

Over in Benowa, a father engaged in a legitimate rant on the community page after his daughter, a P-plater, was tailed to the door of her own home after another neighbour deemed both the girl and her car suspicious.

Gold Coast, this is not who we are. And this is not who are children are.

Is there a criminal element among our youth? Absolutely yes.

Is it a large element? No.

That’s not my opinion, that’s evidence from experts – from politicians to police to criminologists.

Griffith Criminology Institute academic fellow Molly McCarthy says while fewer youth are actually committing crime, chronic youth offenders are on the rise.

And their impact is enormous.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed that almost half of youth crime in the state was committed by just 10 per cent of offenders.

That’s right, a group of 400 young offenders are allegedly responsible for 48 per cent of crime across Queensland.

And for once, the Opposition is in agreement.

“It’s the same kids committing the same crimes in the same areas,” says Opposition police spokesman Dale Last.

Opposition police Minister Dale Last and leader David Crisafulli speak to the media in Townsville concerning youth justice reform.

Interestingly, the actual number of car thefts of the Gold Coast have dropped in the past 12 months, even amid a spate of juvenile incidents.

Police figures show 2473 cars were reported stolen in 2022. It’s a drop on a record 2021 when 2594 cars were reported stolen.

Bond University Criminologist Terry Goldsworthy said comparing year-on-year Gold Coast figures, the number of car thefts dropped nine per cent. But that contrasted to a 20 per cent increase statewide.

However, he said fear of crime was increasing, driven by exposure on social media and media in general.

“There may be a decrease in actual figures, at least at a local level, but not a state level,” he said.

“But fear of crime is just as debilitating as the crime.”

Exactly.

Criminologist Dr Terry Goldsworthy speaking about youth criminal gangs. Picture: Nigel Hallett

And the victims of this fear are not just those who are frightened, but those of whom they are frightened.

That’s why tackling youth crime is so important.

But while society and the state government argues about which method of criminal justice is best – whether that’s imprisoning young offenders, granting better access to rehabilitative programs or addressing the underlying issues that lead to crime – we have to remember that the majority of kids are all right.

So to all the good neighbours
who are understandably concerned about their safety: if you see a crime, report it.

But if you see a child, don’t be scared.

Chances are, it’s just a good kid who has been given a bad name.

Follow @CrysalFoxJour1