Queensland Police denies shortfall in party precinct in response to concerns aired by Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek
A Gold Coast MP says his electorate has been plagued by car thefts and break-ins while cops have been tied up with COVID-19 duties – but Queensland Police has hit back.
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POLICE are “at the end of their tether” and residents are increasingly frustrated as officers struggle to juggle day-to-day work with quarantine and border duties, says a Gold Coast MP.
But the Queensland Police Service has strongly denied resources are not sufficient.
Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek said he had been “inundated” by residents complaining about slow or non-existent police responses to incidents.
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He also pointed to text messages from a “police source”, including one which read: “No rostered car, beat or van last night (Tuesday) in Surfers. No rostered car crew tonight in Broadbeach for night shift.”
However, a police spokesman said: “Surfers Paradise was well staffed with over 21 officers across first-response car crews, beat crews, bicycle patrols and counter staff.”
“Surfers Paradise presently has sufficient resources responding to calls for service and performing proactive patrols in the entertainment precinct.”
The Bulletin has repeatedly reported on police concerns during the pandemic.
Police Minister Mark Ryan has not disputed police were stretched, but said: “I know how hard our police on the Gold Coast are working to keep the community safe, whether it be the outstanding work police are doing on the borders, in hotel quarantine, or out on the streets.
“Community safety is paramount and any instance of crime is unacceptable.”
Mr Langbroek, who is vying for re-election on October 31, said frustration was mounting and residents felt ignored.
“I’ve just got an epidemic of local residents who are frustrated. There seems to be next to no public police presence,” he said.
“People are frustrated. When they’re burgled no one comes to see them. People write to Policelink and nothing happens.
“A constituent told me ‘even if I know they won’t solve my crime, I want to know someone is listening’. The frustration is coming through.
“People have their homes broken into and feel like no one is listening anymore.”
Mr Langbroek blamed “problems with resourcing from Brisbane” and claimed residents felt “powerless and frightened”.
“I think police are at the end of their tether. It’s not their fault.
“In terms of staff, it’s not about the overtime anymore — you’re just exhausted, you’re knackered.”
A police spokesman said the Entertainment Precinct Bicycle Squad had been released from border duties as of October 10 and city cops were supplemented by external officers.
“Additionally, the Gold Coast District Tasking and Coordination Centre (DTACC) constantly
monitors operational requirements across the district and deploys resources accordingly including Surfers Paradise if needed,” he said.
Mr Langbroek flagged more officers and anti-hooning measures if the LNP was elected.
“We have stopped this once with the anti-bikie laws and we can do it again,” he said.
“With an LNP government in charge, more resources and better laws will lead to a safer Surfers Paradise for all.”
Mr Ryan said the State Government had made a “historic investment” in the police service, which would deliver 2025 more police statewide, including a minimum 150 in the city.
“That won’t happen under the LNP,” he said.
“(Opposition Leader) Deb Frecklington has already made it clear she will cut Labor’s fully funded commitment to deliver 150 extra police by 60 officers. That’s what you get with the LNP, fewer police.”
The state had six active COVID-19 cases on Friday and 1167 cases since the pandemic began.
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