Cash handouts for teen crims as Cairns car theft skyrockets

The state government is giving away one-off grants to the public to guide the teen crims and prevent Cairns youth crime epidemic as police numbers reveal a staggering 23 cars have been stolen in the past three days.

THE state is throwing money at the Cairns youth crime epidemic in the form of grants to the public to guide teen criminals, as police numbers reveal a staggering 23 cars have been stolen in the past three days.

Up for grabs are one-off grants from $20,000 to $250,000 through the $1.4m Community Partnership Innovation Grant scheme.

Indigenous and health organisations as well as social enterprises, academics and community-controlled organisations are encouraged to apply.

Recent police data since the beginning of this year has revealed a major over representation by juvenile offenders in arrest numbers.

Since January 1 officers working with Operation Dryandra have arrested 494 people on a total of 2448 charges.

A total of 302 youths outweighed adult arrests that numbered 192.

Youth Justice Department Deputy Director-General Phillip Brooks, Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard, Youth Justice co-responded Joel Karwan, Police Minister Mark Ryan, Queensland Police Union Far North executive member Gil Dyett and Cairns MP Michael Healy visit Cairns PCYC on February 16 in the wake of Bradley Smith’s stolen car death. Picture: Chris Calcino

Minister for Children and Youth Justice, Leanne Linard, who has visited Cairns twice since mid February, said funding was aimed at encouraging the wider community to play a part in reducing anti-social behaviours.

“We know local communities are often best placed to find solutions, based on their direct

experiences and knowledge,” Ms Linard said.

On Thursday police logged 120 stolen cars between Gordonvale and the northern beaches, a major increase from 93 recorded on Monday.

Youth justice deputy director general Phillip Brooks, Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt, Children and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard and PCYC youth club management Steven Pattono at the Edmonton PCYC on March 7 for an announcement of six extra staff to help at-risk young people in Edmonton. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Grant priority has been given to problem youth crime areas including Cairns, Townsville, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Brisbane and Gold Coast areas.

The invitation to design and deliver short-term or one-off projects to help troubled youth follows the death of Cairns orphan Bradley Smith who was in the care of the state when riding in an allegedly stolen car that crashed at high speed into a tree on Please St last month.

Cairns MP Michael Healy said successful proposals would create “lasting and meaningful change” for kids disadvantaged by the youth justice system.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the important role local communities have in preventing youth

crime, as they’re the first to see when a young person starts disconnecting from family,

stops attending school, or is showing anti-social behaviour,” he said.

Applications can be submitted until midnight, April 26 through the SmartyGrants website.

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Originally published as Cash handouts for teen crims as Cairns car theft skyrockets