Violence out of control at Gold Coast train stations

The bashings, the beatings, the bloody violence that has become a part of our rail system on the Gold Coast is out of control. Here’s what needs to be done, writes Ann Wason Moore.

Police conducting Operation Romeo Luminous at Helensvale train station. Picture: Jerad Williams

It’s time to build a wall.

Forgive my Trumpian language, but for once I think the Orange-in-Chief might be on to something.

I’m not proposing an actual bricks and mortar wall, but more of a line … a solid blue line that runs across the train lines at Helensvale. Permanent policing is essential if we are to regain control of our public transportation systems.

The bashings, the beatings, the bloody violence that has become a part of our rail system is out of control.

I appreciate that Queensland Police have now committed to a “high-visibility, proactive effort” to stop anti-social and criminal behaviour across the Gold Coast, with detectives and uniformed officers working together with TransLink to deter, detect and prevent property offences.

Similarly, Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is talking tough: “We support the police. The message out to youth is, remember we have up to 500 CCTV cameras and a lot of them are at train stations and light rail stations.”

A tram at the platform at Helensvale station. Picture: Jerad Williams

But I’m concerned that this is a case of too little, too late.

For those who work within the rail industry, this violence has been a problem for a long time, with little being done about it.

Multiple sources have told me the cases which have been reported, as shocking and numerous as they may be, are only just scratching the surface when it comes to the actual number of incidents occurring on our rail lines.

But not everyone who is beaten up by a teenager, or even a pre-teen, is willing to report it. And so the offenders continue to roam free.

Sure, the cameras catch the violence, but if no one is pressing charges, what difference does it make? For crying out loud, the bullies film the bashings themselves and then post it online. Clearly, cameras are not a deterrent.

Imagine the difference if every train and every tram had an actual boy (or girl) in blue riding along.

Obviously this is not going to happen, but some strategic thinking could make a huge difference.

This is in no way a criticism of Queensland Police. They have limited resources and, like a game of chess, strategise the placement of their pieces wherever they are most needed.

Right now, they can see that train stations are a problem. So we have Operation Romeo Luminous. But for how long?

Police conducting Operation Romeo Luminous at Helensvale train station. Picture: Jerad Williams

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We need a permanent Police Beat at Helensvale Station.

My sources say that station has become a hub for the crime wave, primarily because it is the junction for heavy and light rail.

Long before the light rail system was built, experts were sounding warnings that this scenario could play out.

While it’s not politically correct to say it, the suburbs surrounding and including Logan, Beenleigh, Woodridge and Slacks Creek have long been a hot spot for juvenile crime. With the linking of the heavy and light rail systems, the problem is literally spreading.

While heavy rail at least has a 78-officer police railway squad, light rail has no such presence. And don’t the kids know it.

Young delinquents jump aboard (without paying, natch), ride along to Helensvale, then transfer to the light rail system, where they can continue their crime spree without fear.

Even when the offenders are caught, there is little our system can do to deter them from their path.

Juvenile courts have become a joke – even the offenders can be seen laughing in the dock.

Helensvale train station has been the scene of a number of incidents in recent weeks. Picture: Glenn Hampson

On Thursday there was a perfect example, when a 14-year-old boy faced court over a violent attack at a Gold Coast tram station.

The teenager, who was 13 at the time and cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm and attempted robbery.

CCTV of the assault was played to Southport District Court, in which the 25-year-old victim was shown being repeatedly beaten by a gang of youths and his body left lying across the tracks.

In sentencing, Judge David Kent said it was “serious violence” and that the man was “unable to defend himself”.

The boy was placed on a 15-month probation order.

Gee, I bet that victim really feels that not only was justice served, but that he’s truly safe to once again ride the rails.

Enough is enough. We need to be honest that not only is there a problem, but that we know where the problem is coming from and that we are not doing enough about it.

Alas, changing the juvenile detention system is too great an ask, so let’s aim for prevention of crime rather than securing adequate punishments.

Let’s draw a line. And let’s draw it at Helensvale.