Businesses and locals respond to LNP’s delay on installing a permanent police beat in Burleigh Heads

Businesses and locals in the heart of Burleigh Heads say they are feeling deflated and “vulnerable” after the LNP’s promise to install a police beat was pushed back. Read what they said

Businesses and locals in the heart of Burleigh Heads say they are feeling deflated and “vulnerable” after the LNP’s promise to install a police beat was pushed back.

On Monday Burleigh MP Hermann Vorster said that while he was working to deliver a permanent police beat to the area, residents should join a campaign for a mobile police beat “in the meantime”. Sources told the Bulletin budget constraints had delayed the permanent beat.

“I’ve heard you, Burleigh. You want a stronger police presence, especially on the weekends,” he said.

“That’s why I’m working closely with the police minister to deliver a permanent police beat for our area.

“But in the meantime, let’s rally for a mobile police beat to address anti-social behaviour and keep our community safe.”

Hermann Vorster, Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs and International Student Attraction at Parliament House. Picture: Richard Walker

The development came less than four months after Mr Vorster and then Shadow Police Minister Dan Purdie promised a “permanent police beat with an established shop front for frontline police to be based in and additional police based in Burleigh” if the LNP won government.

They also promised a $500,000 upgrade to the Gold Coast City Council’s safe city CCTV network and a local liquor accord to allow licensed premises, retailers, police and the community to work together to direct policing needs.

Despite the promises, business owners, staff and the community have said crime “has increased” since the October election.

Nightjar owner Scott Imlach said he had witnessed how the crime had affected Burleigh as a whole.

Nightjar owner Scott Imlach said crime had increased in Burleigh Heads. Picture Glenn Hampson

He also believed Mr Vorster was “working behind the scenes to fix the issues”.

“It’s the young kids and homelessness which is scaring away the great Burleigh crowd but take a look around, the place is a mess because of the light rail,” he said.

“Personally, I have witnessed them (youths and homeless) yelling obscenities at my partner and I while dining at Burleigh.

“Also the homeless set up camp in the carpark for over a month if not longer and they are going through bins and rubbish is everywhere.

“The kids are just roaming the streets and being a nuisance.”

A number of vans have been camped in carparks around the Burleigh Beach area. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Clothes and sleeping bags left in the parks and trees. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr Imlach said a lot of the “good Burleigh crowd” had moved to Nobby Beach for night-time entertainment and dining.

A Burleigh Heads staffer, who works on Connor St and wished not to be named, said they felt “vulnerable” without police nearby.

“We can’t do anything and these teenagers come in groups,” they said.

“Theft is not seen as a high priority from retailers but in these sorts of areas we are vulnerable without police.”

Locals said they were not convinced police had the resources to facilitate a mobile police beat.

“This is a good start, I’m just not sure where you’re going to find extra cops from,” Craig Graham said.

Paul Surman also said Burleigh crime was “just as bad at midday on a Monday” compared to a Friday and Saturday night.

WHAT LOCALS SAID

Residents of Burleigh are voicing growing concerns about safety in the area, with several calling for an increased police presence, particularly at night time and on weekends.

Shane and Jeanie Wolki, both in their late 50s and regular visitors from Palm Beach, noted that while they generally felt safe in Burleigh they believed the area could benefit from more police coverage.

“I’m sort of ambivalent with it,” Shane said. “We come to Burleigh a lot, mainly for eating and restaurants and have never really had an issue here, only once really late at night and nothing good happens after midnight anyway so you sort of expect it.”

Jeanie echoed his sentiments, saying: “We’ve never had a problem with it, we have a police beat where we’re from, Palm Beach, so we’re very fortunate in that respect but they probably need one here.”

Shane (57) and Jeani (56) Wolki from Palm Beach

Albin Rongard, a 26-year-old resident from nearby Miami, voiced concerns about the visible presence of “strange people” in the area and the delay in police response times. “I would like more police presence for sure. I would feel more comfortable,” he said.

“Let’s say I see someone who needs help. If I see a police officer I can grab them, if that’s not the case I might just look away.”

For others like 64-year-old Steven Millington a more consistent police presence in the night-life areas could offer much-needed security. “I think the nightclub bar area, a permanent beat would probably be a great thing to have,” Millington said, recalling instances where alcohol-fuelled behaviour could escalate.

Steven Millington, 64, Palm Beach.

Cheryl Glanville, 70, sharply criticised what she described as a “ridiculous” delay in addressing public safety concerns. “Greater police presence is needed,” she said, calling on local authorities to enforce stricter laws and ensure a safer environment for the community.

“It’s absolutely not enough [what they’ve got now], down where we’re staying they’re on push bikes and little beach buggies but they just scoot through. People can see them coming anyway.

“They definitely need a stronger presence. I know it’s hard on them because they can’t change the law either but at what point do they all get together and so ‘ok we’ve had enough, we need some action’ the magistrates and the police. When is it going to happen? It’s time for change.”

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Originally published as Businesses and locals respond to LNP’s delay on installing a permanent police beat in Burleigh Heads