‘Utterly useless’: Councils take youth crime into their own hands

Queensland councils have launched their own war on juvenile crime, putting the blowtorch on “utterly useless’’ government-funded programs.

Queensland councils have launched their own war on juvenile crime, as mayors from across the state unite in a new plan which will put the blowtorch on “utterly useless’’ government-funded programs that are swallowing huge sums of money.

The plan was released yesterday at the Local Government Association of Queensland’s 127th annual conference in Gladstone, which was attended by 800 delegates, including 60 mayors and 60 CEOs.

LGAQ president and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said while law and order was a state government responsibility, councils were on the front line of the statewide crime wave.

“As the level of government that is closest to the community, councils are acutely aware of the impacts of youth crime – on victims, business owners and neighbourhoods across Queensland,’’ Cr Jamieson said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill, whose city has been on the front line of the fight against juvenile crime for several years, said a crucial aspect of the LGAQ plan was a call for an audit of government-funded crime programs, some of which she believed were “utterly useless’’.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill

“When you get programs that are working, you need to continue to fund them,” Cr Hill said.

“When you get programs that are not working, get rid of them, don’t fund them.

“There are programs out there that seem to work from nine to five.

“There are programs out there that are, in my opinion, just making money and not actually dealing with the situation.’’

The LGAQ’s nine-point proposed program includes an audit of all existing youth justice programs, diversionary programs to prevent juveniles getting caught up in the criminal justice system, an increase in support for victims of crime and an increase in the number of Indigenous police officers in the Queensland Police Service.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald said a state government crime forum held earlier in the year in his city had helped to demonstrate the scale of the problem outside the capital.

The city of Toowoomba was already implementing local solutions, but additional support and greater collaboration to tackle the root cause of the issues would also be welcomed, he said.

Originally published as ‘Utterly useless’: Councils take youth crime into their own hands