Robyn Lambley has slammed the NT govt’s plan to combat crime as ‘pathetic’

Independent MLA Robyn Lambley has slammed the government’s new plan to combat crime in the Red Centre as “pathetic” and simply “reorganising the bureaucracy”.

ARALUEN MLA Robyn Lambley has slammed the government’s new plan to establish a Public Order Response Unit in Alice Springs as “pathetic” and simply “reorganising the bureaucracy”.

A $42m funding package to tackle anti-social behaviour announced last week includes private security patrols in the Alice Springs CBD that will operate seven nights a week and between 6.45pm and 5am on peak days.

About $2m will be spent on the expansion of CCTV monitoring in the main street.

$900,000 will also be dedicated to security lighting upgrades and other measures aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour in the Red Centre.

Ms Lambley accused Chief Minister Natasha Fyles, who made the announcement last week during a trip to Alice Springs, as ignorant and having a “complete lack of responsibility”.

“Her solution to outrageously escalating crime across the Northern Territory, is to ‘co-

locate’ a couple of government departments, including Child Protection and the police,” Ms Lambley said.

“Her ignorance and complete lack of responsibility is astounding.

“Reorganising the bureaucracy is what you do when you can’t think of anything else.”

Ms Lambley said the crime crisis in Alice Springs was growing with no successful solution.

“Alice Springs has seen crime intensify even more in the last week with around 100 vehicles

vandalised, the Alice Springs Town Council Chambers trashed and countless other break and enters and serious assaults,” she said.

“It seems the best the new Chief Minister can offer is some internal departmental changes.

“The word ‘pathetic’ comes to mind.”

Ms Fyles also announced after shadowing police on a ride along and speaking to local businesses and community organisations, that the funding package will also include deploying the dog squad to deter troublemakers and breaking out a new drone to monitor hot spots.

NT government investing $2m into ‘community safety measures’ take make Alice Springs safer

THE Territory government will establish a Public Order Response Unit (PORU) in Alice Springs amid ongoing community alarm over crime rates as part of a $2m funding boost to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Following a similar announcement in Darwin earlier this week, private security patrols in the Alice Springs central business district will operate seven nights a week and between 6.45pm and 5am on peak days.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles made the announcement during a trip to the Red Centre on Thursday, after shadowing police on a ride along and speaking to local businesses and community organisations.

The funding package also includes the expansion of CCTV monitoring in the CBD with police also deploying the dog squad to deter troublemakers and breaking out a new drone to monitor hot spots.

An extra $900,000 worth of security lighting upgrades and other measures aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour will also be rolled out in coming months, including from around the Alice Springs Town Council lawns and through to the Todd Mall.

In announcing the plan, Ms Fyles conceded “Centralians are not feeling safe, and that is not good enough”.

“This government is working towards making sure we are tackling the social issues in Central Australia and the Territory, while also making sure we are keeping the community safe,” she said.

“This is just the beginning. We won’t solve this overnight, or on our own. Which is why I’m here listening to the community.

“We are adapting our approach to crime. We are going to light up more of the Alice Springs Todd Street Mall and surrounding streets, along with security patrols.”

Ms Fyles said the government was also investing in new education initiatives such as the Yipirinya Sunset School.

“Engaging with our young people is important,” she said.

“We need to make sure we are listening to them and providing an alternative path.”