No one wants to see a town where residents do not feel safe walking outside after dark

For all Territorians, the recent TV report on A Current Affair depicting violence in Alice Springs was confronting, as well as embarrassing … This moment must be a circuit breaker where we act. The situation cannot go on, writes PAUL MCCUE.

FOR all Territorians, the recent TV report on A Current Affair depicting violence in Alice Springs was confronting, as well as embarrassing. It prompted feelings of sadness and anger in all who saw it, no matter what your political views.

Having previously lived and worked in Alice Springs, it was unimaginable how we could tolerate beautiful Alice Springs in the Red Centre descending into what came across as complete anarchy, where respect for authority has been all but thrown out the door.

No one wants to see a town where residents do not feel safe walking outside after dark, or one where tourists are discouraged for fear of the same.

This moment must be a circuit breaker where we act. The situation cannot go on.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner claimed in announcing new measures to cut youth crime that “victims come first” and his government had “done that significant generational change, given police additional resources” and invested in more CCTV cameras, lighting and youth workers.

I am not sure the frontline would support all these claims.

Resourcing our police force in the current environment continues to be a challenge, and it is important to acknowledge that Commissioner Jamie Chalker APM has committed to a consistent recruitment campaign, adjusted based on attrition, which we can see today is taking place given the large volume of recruits being put through training — an approach our Association supports, and in line with a commitment from the Police Minister made prior to the election in 2020.

Sadly, recent victims in Alice Springs are simply people going about their lives, such as disability support worker Shane Powell, whose motorcycle was struck in an alleged hit-and-run incident, people broken into while they are at home sleeping, numerous people left traumatised after they were assaulted or robbed on the street at seemingly any hour of the day or night, not to mention our frontline workers who are assaulted.

Consistent feedback from our members includes frustration at feeling hamstrung because many young offenders continue to receive bail even after repeatedly reoffending, boast to police and victims that they are untouchable with police restricted largely due to section 18 of the Youth Justices Act (ability to interview youth).

Half of the youths arrested are already on bail while last year NT Police said 118 or 16 per cent of 741 youth offenders committed half of the 6400 offences.

The NTPA welcomes the proposed changes to the Bail Act that would allow police the power to place into custody the worst repeat offenders who are a threat to the community, including those who are currently being bailed for offences such as breaking into an occupied home and serious assault.

However, our police need help now to deal with the crime wave of rising assaults and domestic violence and hope the fact that Labor has delayed debate in Parliament is not a sign of a lack of commitment to the change.

Labor’s recent commentary saying they may or will perhaps consider passing amendments on urgency must change to “will” pass on urgency.

We know that some key bodies feel the proposed changes are a step backward from the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Youth Detention and we know many children are on the streets because their homes are not safe.

That longer-term focus on the first 1000 days of a child’s life is the government’s responsibility.

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The short-term options of changes to bail laws and the Youth Justice Act so police keep people safe from crime can work in partnership with the longer-term goal of generational change in the Northern Territory.

The rights of victims of crime who have been traumatised and suffered life-changing physical and psychological injuries must be considered. Their right to see justice served and not see offenders walk free must be balanced against the rights of offenders to therapeutic models of rehabilitation.

It is time to adjust the pendulum again to meet that balance and this must take place at the next available opportunity.

Paul McCue is the president of the NT Police Association