Katherine tackles crime waves with youth programs and community spirit

A town south of the Territory’s capital is cautiously optimistic following a recent crime wave thanks to its community spirit. Have your say in our exclusive reader’s poll.

Katherine is navigating its way out of recent crime issues, local leaders say. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Youth programs are critical as Katherine navigates it’s way out of recent crime “waves”, experts say.

Katherine MLA Jo Hersey said she understood children were behind much of the town’s criminal activity.

Mrs Hersey praised youth programs – both in and out of the schoolyard – that engaged with Katherine kids.

“(The YMCA), they have drop-in nights every second Friday, and that’s always for a very long time because they have Indigenous mentors there,” she said.

“I think that’s where it’s got to start.”

Mrs Hersey said similar programs were being implemented by other businesses around the town on a volunteer basis, without funding.

Katherine MLA Jo Hersey said youth programs were critical to keeping kids engaged and preventing crime in her town. Picture: Che Chorley

Mrs Hersey said schools such as MacFarlane Primary were also working to engage with students and give them “a good grounding”.

“Prevention is far better than cure,” she said.

“If there are not enough programs out there in prevention, then that is where the government is failing.

“People want to live in a safe community and know that they can go to the shop and come home, and their house hasn’t been broken into.”

Katherine Mayor Elisabeth Clark has lived in the town for more than 50 years. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Katherine Mayor Elisabeth Clark said the town was not unique in its battle with crime.

Ms Clark pointed to housing as a core issue behind crime in the otherwise slow-paced town.

“We have overcrowding in our houses, we don’t have enough houses,” she said.

“It’s the same throughout Australia.”

Ms Clark said Katherine Council was closing laneways in an effort to curb crime hot spots in the town.

She said closing laneways forced people to walk onto the main streets where “it’s well-lit”.

Empty shops and boarded up storefronts were visible throughout Katherine. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Ms Clark said stores throughout Katherine were vacant or boarded up because business owners were struggling with insurance.

“If they’ve had their window smashed, it gets to a point where they can’t afford the insurance anymore,” she said.

“You have to look at boarding up and having something else on your window so it doesn’t get continuously smashed.”

The Stuart Hotel Bottle-O in Katherine had temporary bollards in place as a preventative measure over the Easter long weekend. Picture: Sierra Haigh

It is understood some businesses are cautiously optimistic the small town is navigating its way out of its recent crime wave.

Many residents are investing in preventative measures despite Katherine’s optimistic attitude.

Bollards – both temporary and permanent – could be seen in front of takeaway liquor outlets, and many residents have reportedly invested in CCTV and additional locks for their homes.

Neighbourhood Watch NT Katherine regional coordinator Jenny Duggan said residents’ caution was “today’s way of living”.

Ms Duggan said residents could take their safety into their own hands by “beefing up security”, getting to know their neighbours and filing absentee forms with Neighbourhood Watch NT or police when leaving town.

“It’s what the individuals can control, as a homeowner or a business owner,” she said.

Mrs Hersey said the spotlight on crime in Katherine had not crippled the town’s community spirit.

She said the town recently came together to fundraise for a woman whose tooth was chipped when she was allegedly assaulted on Railway Tce.

“She doesn’t have insurance,” Ms Hersey said.

“It was about four and a half thousand (raised) - and she wasn’t asking for money.”

Mrs Hersey said the woman was able to access dental care thanks to the Katherine community’s support.

The community also initiated a crime petition Mrs Hersey brought to parliament.

Mrs Hersey said the petition attracted 819 signatures in eight days.

“That is how good our community is, because when someone in our community, the chips are down, the whole community rallies around,” she said.

“That is our biggest strength here in Katherine.”