Operation Lunar: the bold new plan to prevent youth crime

A NEW multi-agency program led by police is aiming to reduce the number of kids entering the justice system

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THE top cop for Operation Lunar has described the multi-agency youth intervention program in Alice Springs as one that “looks at the whole family unit” to address youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

Acting Sergeant Cameron Bellis said that by “empowering the family to make decisions” Lunar was already seeing results.

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“We assisted in repatriating a youth to return to country. It wasn’t our decision, but it was a request of the family. So we assisted in getting funding for the return to country. We had a member from Op Lunar get on the plane and make sure he got out there. This kid never went to school all year in town. He committed crime. He was substance abusing. But he’s been to school every day since he’s been out bush.”

Sergeant Bellis said Lunar will also try to change harmful norms early in a young person’s life to prevent offending later.

“We’ve got to educate these kids to say ‘hey, this is not OK’. And what we’re doing is we’re using the Aboriginal Liaison Officers to link in with these kids that are just about to head out bush for Men’s Ceremony … and we want the elders … to say to them ‘Hey, domestic violence isn’t OK’.”

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In the Alice Springs area, domestic violence-related assaults rose by 30 per cent in the year to September 30.

Operation Lunar was established on October 16 and is run by Sergeant Bellis, plus representatives from the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of Territory Families and Housing, and the child protection unit.

A spokeswoman from Territory Families confirmed that Lunar has no set end date but its operation will be constantly reviewed.