High visibility policing to continue as Chief Minister Eva Lawler reveals plan for Alice Springs after curfew

Extra police and high visibility patrols will continue in Alice Springs as part of the government’s plan to maintain order beyond the ‘circuit breaker’ youth curfew ending on Tuesday.

Extra police and high visibility patrols will continue in Alice Springs as part of the government’s plan to maintain order beyond the “circuit breaker” youth curfew ending on Tuesday.

An additional 25 NT Police will be stationed in the Red Centre, pulled from duties in Darwin, Palmerston and working in prosecutions – prompting warnings it could lead to an increase in those languishing on remand in the already stretched thin legal system.

Ten South Australia officers who landed in Alice Springs this week will remain for another fortnight.

The 25 local cops will be stationed in the town until the end of June, when a graduating class of at least 70 constables come online.

Full coverage of bottleshops will continue, with sworn police and other authorised officers redeployed to licensed venues while a group of PALIs undertake training in Darwin.

A multi service community safety hub will be established by the Territory Community Safety Coordination Centre and be located on the Todd Street Mall.

Six specialist staff from Territory Families will be stationed in the Alice Springs CBD, and coverage of Public Housing Safety Officers will be extended to 3am.

The co-responder model, with police and Territory Families working together to respond to jobs, will also continue.

Police Patrols on the streets of Alice Springs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

TheNorth Australian Aboriginal Justice Agencysaid it was “deeply concerned” by police prosecutors being recalled to frontline policing.

“We have been advised that the Alice Springs Prosecution Unit lost three prosecutors this

week and anticipates losing more over the coming fortnight,” a spokesman for the Territory’s main Aboriginal legal service said.

“Removing police prosecutors from an already overwhelmed court system is an alarming

and incredibly disappointing decision by the NT Government, which is prioritising propping

up the increasing police presence in Alice Springs at the expense of the courts.

“An unprecedented investment in policing resources must be matched

with a commensurate investment in the criminal justice system, including courts and

specialised legal services.”

Country Liberal Party member for Namatjira Bill Yan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Shadow Treasurer Bill Yan said the community was “rightfully concerned” crime would rise again when the curfew ends.

“The lack of consequences and facilities for youth doing the wrong thing means we won’t see changed behaviour,” the Namatjira MLA said.

He said the co-responder model, put in place ahead of Summer 2023-24 with no extra funding, had proven not to curb anti-social behaviour.

“Eva Lawler and Chansey Paech are rolling out the same policy that didn’t seem to work and presenting it as a new plan,” Mr Yan said.

The CLP has called for the curfew to be extended to the end of the month, to cover Parrtjima Festival and allow better data to be collected.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said she was “taking a commonsense approach to improve community safety and lower crime in Alice Springs”.

“We’re putting in place a range of measures to build on the success of the Youth Curfew and we will be constantly monitoring the situation on the ground.”