Action for Alice founder Darren Clark returns to Facebook after ‘hibernation’

A Facebook page that drew national attention to Alice Springs’ crime crisis is back online less than two months after its founder announced he was stepping back.

The founder of a Facebook page which has drawn national attention for its coverage of the Alice Springs crime crisis has returned to the platform, claiming “there is far too much being covered up”.

Darren Clark announced the page would be “taking a break” mid-June, saying he needed to focus on his health and wellbeing after years of “working 70 hours plus a week and then spending almost every other waking minute on the page”.

“When I started this page, it was because Alice Springs, my home, a place I love, full of friends, families and First Nations peoples was under siege by groups of kids and teens who had no respect for the wider community,” he said.

“I have friends who I care for deeply but never get to see, because my life has been centred around this page and the issues we face.

Action for Alice founder Darren Clark pictured with opposition leader Peter Dutton and senator Jacinta Price. Mr Clark’s Facebook page has drawn national media attention for its “uncensored” coverage of Alice Springs’ crime crisis.

“I need to have my life back and find my balance for my own wellbeing.”

Action for Alice was also hit with a 28-day Facebook ban for bullying and harassment in February.

At the time Mr Clark accused the government of being behind reports to Meta in a bid “to stop the truth”.

However, less than two months after announcing he would be taking a break, Mr Clark has returned to Facebook, saying “there is far too much being covered up”.

Mr Clark claimed tourists were being “attacked on the streets” as he announced his return to the platform. Picture: Sky News.

“The page will start reporting again but in a different manner, the posts won’t be regular but will come in a dump of posts unless it’s an urgent warning,” he said.

“This will allow police media to release first, if they don’t we expose cover ups.

“There is far too much being covered up.”

Mr Clark said he would be working on positive solutions, including helping youth into training and employment.

“But the public deserve the truth,” he said.

In comments on the post Mr Clark claimed tourists were being “attacked on the streets”.

“Wait until the weather warms here it will be go, another level again,” he said.

“It can’t be ignored and swept under the carpet.

“It just escalates.”

Mr Clark’s comments have been echoed in Alice Springs Town Council meetings, with councillor Steve Brown stating the government’s current policies would not make a difference to crime levels when summer hits.

“Nothing constructive has been done as of yet to address the issue that’s been plaguing our community for the past dozen years, and until we do something constructive the issue will continue,” he said.

“It’s a fortunate combination for the Territory government that we’ve had a blast of cold winter and the reinstatement of alcohol restrictions (which) have led to some nice rosy statistics that will make them look good for five minutes, but it won’t make a difference when the weather warms up again.”