‘Zero tolerance’: Cairns Unity team outlines youth crime policy ahead of election

Cairns will take a slice out of the Big Apple’s hard line on crime in the 90s and adopt a “zero tolerance” policy for repeat offenders under a Unity-led council, the city’s deputy mayor says.

Youth crime has emerged as a major issue amongst voters across Cairns ahead of the local government elections.

Cairns will take a slice out of the Big Apple’s hard line on crime in the 90s and adopt a “zero tolerance” policy for repeat offenders under a Unity-led council, the city’s deputy mayor says.

But the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef bears little resemblance to New York City’s dark days, with tough tactics likely to hurt vulnerable community members, a James Cook University criminologist has warned.

Deputy Mayor Brett Moller is a strong advocate for a “zero tolerance” policy on youth crime. Image: Stewart McLean

Eleven councillors and mayoral candidates outlined their policies at the Crime and Justice Action Group (CJAG) forum in Edmonton on Saturday including Division One councillor Brett Moller.

During his preamble, Mr Moller compared Cairns’ streets to New York City during an era when crime overran the five boroughs before dropping dramatically under former Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Rudy Giuliani served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001.

“Zero tolerance is where we are as a community and how we feel,” Mr Moller said.

“It was Rudy Giuliani who in 1993 – one of the worst cities in the world for murders, rapes and stealing – (decided) the community had had enough.

“I feel like that’s where we are. We’re sick and tired of recidivist offenders.”

Under Unity’s nine-point plan, the state government would be called upon to introduce more CCTV cameras, establish a program where proceeds of crime are reinvested in communities and hire more First Nations police officers.

Violent crime rates dropped by 56 percent during the 1990s in New York city.

But Mr Moller, who is running unopposed in Division 1, said crime prevention was only part of the solution.

“We’re tired of the magistrates looking at detention as a last resort,” Mr Moller said.

“We need to message our state parliamentarians, so that we, as a community, can feel much safer.

“The principles of sentencing are punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, denunciation and community safety. It’s a big ‘F’ for fail (in that regard).

“We’re taking a very serious approach of zero tolerance together with the preventive measures we can take.”

Zero tolerance would give police little discretion when apprehending vulnerable offenders, particularly youths, substance abusers, the mentally ill and homeless, Adjunct Professor Glenn Dawes said.

“I don’t think it’s a good way to go,” Dr Dawes said.

“It compels police to act for even minor infringements.”

“It’s also seen as a quick fix, particularly when you have a youth crime problem.

“Rather than building up support for police within community groups, it erodes.

“There are some real risks with a take no prisoners style approach.”

Former Deputy Police Commissioner for regional Queensland Paul Taylor is running for Mayor in next month's local government elections. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mayoral candidate Paul Taylor said council should be focused on using its assets and infrastructure to prevent youth crime, he said.

“Crime sits with the state but that doesn’t mean crime prevention can’t be dealt with by local government,” the former police deputy commissioner said.

“As a young fella, I used to see how local governments would employ young people as administrators, tradespeople and as apprentices.

“There are opportunities to deliver programs for at-risk kids where those programs not only benefit them but local government as well.

“Many sporting grounds are on council property. We know there’s a link there between nurturing kids and helping them be productive.”

If elected, Mr Taylor said he would seek input from experts through a public forum seeking solutions to stopping youth crime in Cairns.

Cairns Regional Council mayor Terry James. Picture: Brendan Radke

CAIRNS MAYORAL CANDIDATES ON CRIME

Terry James (Unity)

We want a proactive approach to the prevention of crime. To that end, in January, council put on five community public space safety patrol officers. It’s only been going for the past month or so. It is working. We want zero tolerance for repeat offenders. We want to hold the state government to account. Every council in the state belongs to the Local Government Association of Queensland. All 77 council want immediate, evidence-based action.

Community First candidate for Cairns Regional Council mayor Denis Walls. Picture: Brendan Radke

Denis Walls (Community First)

“(On Return to Country programs), this idea that we can send people out into the bush – that might work in Mornington (Island) with country kids. It doesn’t really work with our city kids and there is a lot of evidence to that extent. So we need to build something within the community. One elephant in the room is the housing (shortage) issue and what impact it has when it comes to people having a peaceful life. We also know there’s an ice epidemic.”

Singer Binda Warren is running for mayor. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Binda Warren (Independent)

“(If elected as mayor) I will make a recommendation that all youths go through the Murri court system. We need to increase services into the home, see if we can sort out issues where there’s domestic violence, violence to children, abuse and neglect. What I hear from the community is they want parents held accountable. We also need to get back to supporting the local sport, arts and entertainment sectors.

Division 5 councillor Amy Eden is one of seven mayoral aspirants. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Amy Eden (Team Eden)

“Community safety is a huge topic of conversation for this election and rightly so. Council has over 500 CCTV cameras … yet they’re not monitored proactively by police. Should that happen, we can stop things before they occur. Back in 2018 Operation Romeo saw a police officer in council’s control room. They could communicate back to QPS and intervene. The infrastructure is already there.”

*Candidates Leah Potter and John Kelly didn’t attend the CJAG event.

Originally published as ‘Zero tolerance’: Cairns Unity team outlines youth crime policy ahead of election