Mackay victims of crime demand stronger punishment for youth offenders
Fed-up victims of crime are demanding harsher penalties for repeat youth offenders after a surge in crime and a suspected fatal overdose. See what they’re demanding of politicians.
Mackay
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Residents fed up with youth offenders “getting off with a slap of the hand” have rallied to demand an overhaul of the justice system.
It comes as police probe the suspected fatal overdose of 15-year-old Jerome Banu after ingesting an unknown substance in a North Mackay home, the incident also landing five more teenagers in hospital.
Victim of Crime Mackay founder Carolyn Quabba said she was speaking out after a youth in April allegedly invaded her home while her husband slept in the neighbouring room.
“I was assaulted,” Mrs Quabba said, adding she doubted the intruder would be appropriately punished.
“(I felt) really vulnerable, scared, unprotected and unsafe in my own home.”
Mrs Quabba said she wanted harsher penalties introduced for youth offenders to curb Mackay’s crime rate, launching a petition and offering a solution of a military-style bootcamp.
Also speaking at the rally was Mackay Crime Watch Facebook group administrator Noela Lowrey who said she believed the current system was broken, highlighting the recent alleged stabbing at Blacks Beach.
She said she believed drug-fuelled crime was a particular issue and the surge in stolen cars was driving up insurance premiums.
“We are told detention is a last resort for the under 18s as is recording convictions,” Mrs Lowrey said.
“Most of us understand this and are willing to believe that our youth deserves some leeway but where is the line drawn?”
And through tears, the mother of a 15 year old girl admitted to hospital after the North Mackay incident said she presently only had two options to see her daughter: either collect her from a mental health service or in a body bag.
The mum is fighting to introduce a bill alongside Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert, after her daughter’s rights served as a blockade when she tried asking hospital staff whether her child, who had runaway from home, was alive.
Hundreds resonated with the mother’s story including parents and past youth runaways, offering messages of support.
Mirani MP Stephen Andrew said whether it was a bootcamp, a revision of childhood rights or some other solution, only the community could collectively tackle youth crime.
“We are in a situation where there’s a degradation of society,” Mr Andrew said, adding a “pack mentality” was spurring on many recidivist youth offenders.
Mr Andrew suggested Mackay could adopt an approach used elsewhere whereby Aboriginal elders take in families to do activities including fencing and mustering, offering a reprieve from drugs and crime.
Dawson MP George Christensen also shared some thoughts in a letter read at the rally.
“Real change starts with the people, not the politicians so I strongly commend you on what you are doing,” the letter read.
Mr Christensen’s letter said he supported the bootcamp proposition with residents “at the end of their tether” and “resorting to acts of vigilantism”.
What do you believe needs to happen to deal with youth crime? Email your thoughts to mackay@news.com.au
Originally published as Mackay victims of crime demand stronger punishment for youth offenders