Petitioners threaten to sue NT Government over crime-induced ‘financial and psychological trauma’

ALMOST 5000 angry Territorians have signed a petition threatening legal action against the NT Government for ‘financial and psychological trauma’ if it fails to act on crime

Almost 5000 angry Territorians have signed a petition threatening legal action against the NT Government for ‘financial and psychological trauma’ if it fails to act on crime

ALMOST 5000 angry Territorians have signed a petition threatening legal action against the NT Government for “financial and psychological trauma” if it fails to act on crime.

The change.org petition, calling out the government’s perceived lack of action to curb offending against businesses and individuals, had attracted more than 4800 signatures by Friday afternoon.

“For too long now we in the NT have had to endure a government that appears complicit in placing the rights of criminals before that of victims,” it reads.

MORE NT NEWS

Alice Springs Mayor accuses Gunner of ‘disrespect’ on youth crime issue

Man, 26, arrested, charged over Palmerston Tavern bottle shop assault

MLAs band together to call on Gunner to act on crime wave

“We’ve had to live our lives planning on when we will have our homes invaded or business robbed. We have to plan to be assaulted in public and live in the mentality of WHEN will I be a victim as opposed to WILL I be a victim.”

The petition, started by Ben Kitson, says community leaders who have spoken up about the issue have been “sidelined or ignored by the public servants that they voted in to represent them”.

“We’ve been assaulted in our own homes. We’ve been assaulted in broad daylight whilst getting supplies to feed our families. We’ve had our cars stolen and vandalised,” it reads.

“We’ve all been told that we need to foot the bill after these criminals are caught and prosecuted (that’s if they get prosecuted at all). But most of all we no longer feel safe anywhere not even in our own homes.

“If the NT Government refuses to act, then it’s time that we seek compensation for the financial and psychological trauma that we’ve had to endure.”

In a statement, a government spokesman said “crime at anytime, anywhere, is unacceptable and there is no excuse for it”.

“Our police do an incredible job in difficult circumstances. We are supporting them with record investment in resources — including more police on the beat and more CCTV,” he said.

$1 FOR ALL YOUR NEWS? HERE’S HOW: Sign up now to our amazing deal of $1 for 28 days

The spokesman said the government had invested “more than any other government” in police, youth services and alternative sentencing options such as boot camps.

“There are almost 100 more officers on the beat when compared to the same time last year and we have 90 recruits currently in the college, who will graduate March 2021 and April 2021,” he said.

“There is no silver bullet solution to tackling crime — we’ve just got to keep working hard at it.”