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Youth crime forum: Event to address Toowoomba’s youth crime wave
Residents attending tonight’s youth crime forum run the risk of going unheard, with the selection process for questions revealed by the government. Here’s everything you need to know.
Hundreds of concerned community residents will head to the Empire Theatres precinct on Wednesday night to have their voice heard on the rise of youth crime.
People attending the Toowoomba Community Forum will hear from Police Minister Mark Ryan, Youth Justice Minster Leanne Linard and Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll from 7pm.
Residents heading to the forum have been invited to suggest questions prior to the event via an online form.
It’s believed attendees will not be able to ask questions from the floor, something Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts said might exclude elderly people.
“There’s absolutely no question I would encourage everybody to submit questions that they would like to have answered,” he said.
“Not everyone is going to have an opportunity to run a question, but unfortunately some of the more aged in our population might be more technologically-challenged.”
The forum is expected to be live streamed, and you can follow along with The Chronicle’s live blog of the forum here.
The sold-out event at the Armitage Centre was sparked following the shocking death of Robert Brown, who died a week after he was attacked while waiting for a taxi outside Grand Central Shopping Centre.
The 75-year-old was allegedly pushed while waiting for a taxi outside Toowoomba’s largest shopping centre.
His injury and subsequent death fuelled an outpouring of grief and anger over the rise of youth crime across the city.
Youth armed robbery has increased by more than 170 per cent, while unlawful use of a motor vehicle crimes have increase by more than 200 per cent.
The event comes just 24 hours after a shooting incident involving youths in the Toowoomba CBD.
The Chronicle launched its Enough is Enough campaign in the wake of Mr Brown’s death, calling for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to visit and speak with the community.
The Premier’s office declined to reveal where Ms Palaszczuk will be on Wednesday night, but it is understood she plans to visit Toowoomba at a later date.
Mr Ryan, who was forced on Tuesday to deny there was disunity within the government over youth crime, revealed he would not bring details of the government’s legislative reforms to the forum.
In a statement, the Police Minister said suggestions and initiatives from residents at the event used to guide legislation would be “communicated at the appropriate time”.
“As is the case with all pieces of new legislation it will be introduced to parliament and then available for public scrutiny,” he said.
“Youth Justice officials, police officers and ministers present at the forum will take note of the suggestions put forward.
“Any initiatives that result from the forum will be communicated at the appropriate time.
“People can rest assured that Youth Justice, police and other government representatives will spend as much time as it takes to listen to the concerns of those who attend the forum.”
The state government signalled its intention to unveil a suite of youth crime reforms when parliament resumes later this month, but have yet to detail any of the policies.
Experts have revealed they have also not been consulted as to what the reforms will be.
Opposition MPs are hoping for key outcomes for both the Darling Downs region and the wider state.
“If this isn’t just for show and if they’re serious, they’ll bring the legislation to discuss with the community on Wednesday night,” Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki said.
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Updates
The forum has concluded
9.45pm: Heated forum in Toowoomba
The forum has continued far past its allotted time, with numerous questions from the floor.
These included deputy mayor Geoff McDonald, who suggested a return of breach of bail offences for youth offenders.
9.30pm: Tracking devices raised
Another woman asked about tracking devices for youth offenders.
"If they are wearing electronic monitoring devices, young offenders should not be able to steal cars," she asked.
Mark Ryan said a trial started two years ago that involved electronic monitoring bracelets being placed on a handful of offenders.
"It was only being used on a handful of offenders, because it was new technology to be used on an offender," he said.
He went on to say that the outcome of those trials was being looked at.
"We are considering that, about possible expansion," Mr Ryan said.
"Of those that had an electronic device, it was very successful and we will look at that."
9.25pm: Photographic Society president addresses forum
Toowoomba Photographic Society president Travis Lord said Robert Brown's death had rocked the community and along with the 100 members of the society.
"Our members are shocked, they are scared, they are crying, what support can they get after they were impacted by that assault," he said.
Supt McDonald offered to help Mr Lord after the meeting.
9.20pm: Where is the Premier?
One person asked where Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk was tonight.
Ms Linard deflected the question.
"Minister Ryan as the responsible minister for police is here and so am I as the Minister for Youth Justice," she said.
"We are here personally as the responsible ministers."
She went on to acknowledge some of the comments made by the crowd.
"Victims are entitled to make a victim impact statement and victims are entitled to attend court," Ms Linard said.
"Victims often get different information, but I think it is incredibly important that victims have a voice, whether that is a victim impact statement or going to court
"We should have consistent information no matter who they talk to."
9.15pm: Clifford Gardens business owner shares experience
Business owner at Clifford Gardens said she had been a victim of crime repeatedly.
"We sell handbags, they come into our store in gangs, they stalk our store, they spread out.
"It's the most confronting, frightening thing to experience.
"Something needs to be done, my staff and customers are frightened."
9.05pm: Attendee calls for "draconian" laws
One participant said laws had been weakened by "soft ideology".
"To the minister, this is nothing personal, (but) we are in this problem because we have eroded punishments, because we've pandered to weak ideologies," he said.
"We need draconian measures, we are on the cusp of anarchy.
"My car was stolen and I got it back. I had vigilante thoughts, I thought about taking the laws into their own hands.
"Meanwhile the 98 per cent are locked in their homes, bars on their windows.
"It is ironic it is the guilty that walk free and it is the innocent who are punished."`
8.45pm: Philanthropist talks about personal story
Property developer and philanthropist Clive Armitage revealed his own encounter with youth offenders recently.
"Seven days ago, I was approached by two assailants," he said.
"The first one drew a machete and advanced, the second advanced and had an iron bar.
"They ran, but they will be back and I will be ready for them.
"An Englishman's house is his castle."
8.45pm: Rape victim stands up - "What about my life?"
With the forum opening up to questions, more jeering and heckling was projected from the crowd.
One woman stood up to say she was raped but questioned who the ourt let her perpetrator was let out with parole.
Mr Ryan said he acknowledged the woman's pain and she had a right to feel safe.
The woman – and the crowd – laughed his sympathy off.
"He is still working around Toowoomba, he goes to school, and no one knows my name," she replied.
One woman also asked about what she could do to defend herself, with Supt McDonald saying they should escape or run away.
"But you cannot walk away."
More jeers started from the crowd.
8.35pm: Police say they aren't victim-blaming
Supt McDonald said many of the online comments were focused on the perception that police were blaming victims of crime through messaging about securing property.
"I want to acknowledge that we can do better," he said.
"We are ultimately trying to prevent members of the community from becoming victims.
"I know not all of these strategies will prevent crime… but limiting an offender's access to a vehicle will limit that offender's ability to commit crime further down the line."
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