Chief Minister tells Alice Springs council to provide ‘activities’ to curb youth offending

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has written to the Alice Springs Town Council encouraging them to provide ‘activities’ for youth to address the out-of-control crime problem in the town.

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CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has written to the Alice Springs Town Council encouraging them to provide “activities” for youth to address the out-of-control crime problem in the town.

Mr Gunner’s letter, addressed to mayor Damien Ryan, arrived as 25 homes and businesses were broken into over 72 hours last weekend.

The Chief Minister wrote to the council in response to its motion in December calling on the NT government to do more to combat crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs. Instead, Mr Gunner spruiked the government’s offer of funding for facilities to engage kids.

“I do agree that everyone has a role to play in community safety and I invite the Alice Springs Town Council to join us in our efforts in this space,” he wrote.

“The council has many options available for youth and community activities and government has offered funding for facilities that will engage the town’s youth.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has written to the Alice Springs Town Council encouraging them to provide ‘activities’ for youth to address the out-of-control crime problem in the town. Picture: Che Chorley

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“While the Northern Territory government has been very active in working to address community safety, social and economic challenges, many of these can only be achieved with the co-operation of the council.”

Mr Gunner also noted the police operations currently ­active in Alice Springs.

“There is always more to do — that’s why in October we set up Strike Force Viper with a focus on property crime,” the Chief Minister wrote.

“In November through to March, when there are more kids about and more people coming into town, we will put in place Operation Shorewood focused on crime and anti-­social behaviour in the CBD.”

In recent days, two youths believed to be responsible for breaking into a restaurant and stealing a car in the same night have been arrested in Alice Springs.

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Youths have repeatedly broken into a local chiropractic clinic and other businesses over the past month.

A mobile police station has been set up in Todd Mall to help combat the spate of commercial break-ins.