Editorial: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk reinstates breach of bail as offence for juveniles as youth crime crisis continues in Toowoomba

As The Chronicle’s Enough is Enough campaign continues, here are the youth crime changes we’re happy to see and what we’re still waiting to see, writes Rhylea Millar.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaks to the media at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

After weeks of hearing the terrifying encounters members of our community have had with juvenile offenders and campaigning for action, it’s promising to see the wheels are starting to turn in the right direction.

In less than 24 hours since we spoke to fearful customers at Clifford Gardens, it was a pleasant surprise to see the mobile Police Beat van stationed at the same shopping centre.

Meanwhile on Monday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced breach of bail would be reinstated as an offence for juveniles.

While I can’t help but feel relieved by these progressive steps, I’m equally wary as this is only the beginning.

As the state’s youth crime crisis intensifies, more immediate action is needed.

The Sunshine State still needs stronger sentencing and harsher penalties issued through the courts.

We need an increase in resources for the police, child safety, education and health departments.

Instead of focusing solely on what we can do when it’s too late, we should be setting our sights on how these kids are ending up in these situations in the first place.

Without sounding like a broken record, the Premier’s presence is still vital on the ground.

As the leader of our state, it is imperative that she meets with concerned residents face-to-face and hears their stories herself.

Only then will she have the perspective and understanding required to make monumental change.