Call to ditch CBD bottle shops and bring in cashless welfare card in Cairns

A leading Cairns businessman has made a radical call to get rid of bottle shops in the CBD, ban repeat offenders from city streets and bring in a cashless welfare payment, as police admit crime in Cairns is increasing.

PROMINENT Cairns businessman Danny Betros has slammed Queensland Police, saying the rights of the perpetrator are put ahead of the plight of victims in an escalating Cairns City crime crisis.

Mr Betros called for a ban on liquor outlets in the CBD, the introduction of a card-only purchase system for alcohol and banning repeat offenders from the city.

He also said he was in favour of a cashless welfare card.

Mr Betros made the comments at a Cairns Chamber of Commerce breakfast titled Crime In the Cairns CBD: what is being done.

CBRE Cairns director Danny Betros has called for radical measures to curb a crime crisis in Cairns CBD. He said he was not seeing an increased police presence. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERS

Cairns Regional Council executive manager of community life Brett Spencer, Assistant District Officer Superintendent Chris Hodgman, Cairns Metro Inspector Monique Ralph, Acting officer in charge, Cairns City Beat, Acting Senior Sergeant Simon Laverty, and State MP for Cairns Michael Healy spoke at the event.

Acting Senior Sergeant Simon Laverty spoke about police constraints and the human rights of people to have freedom of movement and come into the city.

He said police could not chase young perpetrators who may have been chroming because they could potentially suffer heart failure from running.

“We’re restricted by legislative framework … the Human Rights Act applies to every aspect of policing,” he said, adding that placing an Indigenous person in the watch house was considered incarceration and had to be a last resort.

“We’re expected to perform our duties lawfully and fairly, and when we get to court, we are required to prove any arrests beyond a reasonable doubt.”

The gathering heard that police had just secured electric pushbikes and there were six new officers on the city beat.

Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman, pictured with Acting Inspector Gary Hunter of the Cairns City Patrol group, says police numbers are increasing. Picture: Brendan Radke

But Mr Betros said he was horrified by the emphasis on the rights of the perpetrator.

“They seem to be completely consumed by the care of the perpetrator without any consideration for the victim,” he said.

“One of the things we can do immediately is tighten up our liquor laws, there’s been very little responsibility in the way our bottle shops operate, we need to do more to stop the effects of cheap alcohol getting into people that really don’t need it.

“It just creates more social problems and there’s no reason these people shouldn’t be banned from the CBD, not just allowed to wander – and I’m horrified police can’t chase groups of teens because they are worried about the health effects from chroming,” Mr Betros said.

“Kids can steal a handbag or punch somebody … you’re feeling sorry for the perpetrator. It’s time we got tougher on crime.”

“The bottle shops sell cheap rubbish to anyone – one person goes in and buys it and they share it around when they get their welfare money, we see it every week.

Danny Betros wants to see bottle shops in the city given the flick, or card purchases only of alcohol – not cash. He has called for the introduction of the cashless welfare card in the region.

“The majority of the population don’t care about the health and well being of the perpetrator, we’re more interested in the victim, and not coming up with statistics that mean nothing,” Mr Betros said.

“There is a lack of police presence on the Esplanade and in the city, they’re undermanned, understaffed.

“There should be a zero-tolerance policy, particularly for repeat offenders, we need to get on the front foot and look after victims.”

Responding to Mr Betros, Superintendent Hodgman said police had to adhere to a priority policing model.

“Domestic violence is at the moment, the top of the tree and that’s something that requires a lot of time and effort in terms of paperwork – when we go to a job for domestic violence, it can take a crew up to three or four hours, “ he said.

He said crime was increasing, but if police breached human rights they could be sacked or face lawsuits.

Originally published as Call to ditch CBD bottle shops and bring in cashless welfare card in Cairns