Alice Springs curfew could push crime out of the CBD, Lawler says, as possibility of extension floated

Chief Minister Eva Lawler says it “absolutely was understood” the curfew imposed on Alice Springs CBD could push crime into the suburbs, flagging that the emergency measures could be extended beyond 14 days.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler says it “absolutely was understood” the curfew imposed on Alice Springs CBD could push crime into the suburbs, flagging that the emergency measures could be extended beyond 14 days.

“We knew that it meant there will be possibility of movement of young people or of crime out of the CBD, but it was about absolutely making sure that the CBD was safe, that people can go there to go to restaurants, cafes and enjoy the CBD,” Ms Lawler said.

Police have reported quiet nights in the curfew zone ever since the 12-hour nightly ban on youths was imposed on Wednesday, while three children were arrested after they allegedly threatened residents of a Gillen home in an aggravated burglary on Thursday night.

Ms Lawler said an extra 25 police officers and 33 PALIs deployed to Alice Springs would also add a layer of protection to the town.

She said the curfew was an emergency response to offer the town “a breather”, and whether it extended would depend on data from NT Police and Territory Families regarding how many young people had been taken home, the situations in those homes, and how many had been taken to access appropriate alternative accommodation.

Police patrols on the streets of Alice Springs on March 28. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

She said working with frontline services, particularly Aboriginal run services, was “most important part” of the ongoing response.

Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation, the group representing local Native Title holders, met with the Chief Minister this week.

She said a focus of the organisation would be to ensure visitors to Arrernte land “understand that they need to behave themselves here”.

It is believed retaliatory unrest escalated in Alice Springs on Tuesday after visitors from remote communities attended a ceremony in town to mourn an 18-year-old killed in a vehicle rollover earlier this month.

Ms Lawler also hinted at additional funding for initiatives to address medium and long-term social issues in the Territory when the budget is handed down on May 14.

The federal budget will also be released on the same day.

“There will definitely be additional funding for some really good things that we need to have across the Northern Territory,” she said.

“There’s never enough money in the Northern Territory, so it’ll be a tight budget, but there’ll be a spread of really good things that will get to the work that needs to be done.”

Originally published as Alice Springs curfew could push crime out of the CBD, Lawler says, as possibility of extension floated