Editorial: Data gives us clear picture of Qld crime

Whether prompted by our inquiries or just a case of incredible timing by the minister, Queenslanders will now be able to make more informed decisions about youth crime, writes the editor.

If only governments – any government – put as much effort into fixing a problem as they do in carefully managing how much the community is allowed to know about it.

It should not take a newspaper campaign for the state government to be open about the reality of Queensland’s youth crime crisis.

It has now been a year since then premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reluctantly agreed to release youth justice data every six months following the “Enough is Enough” campaign in The Courier-Mail and our sister publications across the state.

This commitment should have seen the public informed on the reoffending rates of juveniles who have had contact with the youth justice system, the proportion of Indigenous children in detention, and the number of serious repeat offenders.

But not all of those statistics have been shared so far – in fact only the number of Indigenous children in detention data has been published.

By an incredible coincidence, when The Courier-Mail made inquiries about this issue on Sunday we were told by Youth Justice Minister Di Farmer that all the data would now be released quarterly, with the first instalment today.

“The initial commitment was to do so every six months,” she said.

“We are now moving to a quarterly data release model.”

The Enough is Enough campaign also called for the regular release of the percentage of juveniles between the ages of 10 and 16 who reoffend. We did so because in Queensland a year ago that number was 56.8 per cent but the national average of 50.9 per cent – and those who know about these things told us this measure was critical to watch.

Those statistics are released annually, however, it is understood Ms Farmer is considering adding it to the quarterly release.

Whether prompted by our inquiries or just a case of incredible timing by the minister, the main thing is Queenslanders will now be able to make more informed decisions about youth crime.

It may mean they install security cameras, or limit time spent on public transport at night. Or they might decide they feel safe in their local community.

But, as we have reported, a great many Queenslanders do not feel safe in their own homes.

The horrific killing of Redbank Plains grandmother Vyleen White in the car park of her local shopping centre – allegedly by a teenager – was a stark reminder of that.

A poll commissioned by The Courier-Mail found 45 per cent of people do not feel safe in their own homes.

The government’s own polling found crime and safety was the second most important issue to Queenslanders, surpassed only by cost of living.

A whopping 84 per cent said they were dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the issue.

So where do people gain their perceptions of how much crime is occurring in neighbourhoods? Largely from social media.

There are entire groups dedicated to Queensland crime, where people post prolifically about burglaries, stolen cars and acts of violence.

One such page, on Sunday alone, had multiple posts of youths filming themselves driving stolen luxury cars.

The Queensland Police Service is aware of how the community gains its perceptions of safety from these pages.

It has joined many community groups in order to engage with locals, fix misinformation and respond to concerns.

Surely accurate data is preferable over the barrage of social media – no matter what the numbers say.

REECE LIVING AMERICAN DREAM

The danger with the NRL’s Las Vegas expedition is that the Yanks will like what they see so much they will come for our players.

Australians have made huge inroads into the NFL in recent years – mainly in the specialised punting position – and many players harbour the dream of giving American football a crack.

Inevitably, the question was asked of Broncos superstar Reece Walsh yesterday.

How he answered it was an indication of his growing maturity.

Walsh, who will shortly sign a lucrative new deal to stay at the Broncos, pointed out that he has so much he wants to achieve in Australia first.

Top of the list would undoubtably be premierships with the Broncos, after that dream was cruelly snatched away by the Panthers last October.

Then there would be more Origin glory, as well as the dream of representing Australia.

“I have so much more I want to do in the game, but maybe in a few years I would,” Walsh said.

And no one would begrudge him that – just make sure you bank some NRL titles with the Broncos, and more Origin Shields for the Maroons first.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Data gives us clear picture of Qld crime