Government dismisses Lord Mayor’s bid for power over police to help curb crime

THE NT government has dismissed a suggestion that local government should control police services to help curb the crime crisis

THE NT government has dismissed a suggestion that local government control police services.

In a column in the Sunday Territorian, Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis called for councils to control police in a bid to address escalating crime.

It came after several industry heads said solving crime and anti-social behaviour should be the biggest issue for the incoming council to address after the August election.

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Mr Vatskalis, who is re-nominating for the top job, said the council needed more power to deliver meaningful outcomes for crime.

“City of Darwin, like all other Australian local government authorities, does not have powers to fix crime issues for the simple reason council does not run the police,” he said.

“The NT government (should) put police officers under council management direction and I will quickly take actions to improve community safety.”

However, Police Minister Nicole Manison said the council had a role to play in addressing crime but that was alongside police, rather than on top of them.

“Councils have a role to play in community safety and in working in partnership with government and police,” Ms Manison said.

“We continue to work hard with local councils, including the City of Darwin, in a positive and collaborative way.”

Ms Manison said the global pandemic had impacted on crime rather than restricting police capabilities, as Mr Vatskalis had suggested.

“COVID-19 has had an impact on increased alcohol abuse, and this has had an impact on crime and anti-social behaviour,” she said.

“We have been working to deal with those issues across the Territory, including in Darwin, where police have stepped up secondary alcohol work, and Larrakia Nation are fully tasked on day and night patrol.”

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There are 200 police constables in waiting in the Territory, either studying or commencing in 2021, and 140 of them will graduate this year.

NT Property Council executive director Ruth Palmer agreed with the Lord Mayor saying she’d be happy for additional powers to be considered for council.

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Originally published as Government dismisses Lord Mayor’s bid for power over police to help curb crime