Four electronic monitoring devices issued statwide, none on the Gold Coast, officials confirm
Teens accused of Gold Coast crimes are yet to be fitted with a single GPS tracker - and it all comes down to one key reason.
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Teens accused of Gold Coast crimes are yet to be fitted with a single GPS tracker, as it emerges a key reason juveniles avoid being fitted is their “unwillingness to comply”.
Just four teens across the state have been ordered to wear one by the courts as part of their bail conditions, the government has revealed.
Magistrates on the Gold Coast are yet to issue a single GPS tracker despite the trial running for almost a year.
Police sources have told the Bulletin a 16-year-old boy accused of stealing a luxury Range Rover, later crashed by a 13-year-old on April 7, was on bail but not subject to a GPS tracker despite being of age.
The 13-year-old boy was critically injured in the crash but made a recovery. He later failed to appear in court. The 16-year-old was arrested on Saturday.
Courts are able to issue electronic monitoring devices to 16 and 17-year-old juveniles who meet select criteria as part of a 12-month trial.
The latest electronic monitoring device issued was through the Beenleigh Childrens Court for a 17-year-old boy, Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said on Wednesday.
“The government is firmly committed to giving courts the tools they need to help keep Queenslanders safe,” Ms Linard said.
“Ultimately, the courts consider the evidence before them to determine how and when they will use these tools, including electronic monitoring devices. When courts consider young people to be an unacceptable risk to community safety, they are remanded in custody.
“Many young people have been remanded rather than fitted with a device.”
In a recent response to a question on notice, published this week, it was revealed juveniles were deemed not suitable as part of the trial because of a lack of support from a parent or other adult, an unwillingness to comply, a lack of capacity to understand a condition, and withdrawal of request from the legal representative.
Youth Justice Taskforce boss Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon said in November that while additional children were being kept on remand, she wanted more eligible teens to be given the opportunity to be fitted with the devices.
Responding to the figures, Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said: “Labor has failed to get youth crime under control, failed to protect our community and failed to do the right thing by our children,” he said.
“The State Government get’s an ‘F’ for its failed plan.”
As the trial deadline approaches police sources say there has not been enough devices issued to gauge the effectiveness of the tool – which was unveiled as part of a “suite of measures” aimed at targeting recidivist offenders.
Former Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson will compile a report on the efficacy of the youth justice reforms.
An independent review of the trial and programs that support compliance with electronic monitoring will be completed this year, Ms Linard said.
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