Horrifying threats to eat pets amid Far North’s skyrocketing youth crime crisis
A sickening threat to eat animals sold from a Tablelands pet store is the latest intimidation tactic by a group of teens successful in holding a town to ransom amid skyrocketing break-ins.
Cairns
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A sickening threat to eat animals sold from a Tablelands pet store is the latest intimidation tactic by a group of teens successful in holding a town held to ransom amid skyrocketing break-ins and assaults.
A developing perfect storm of juvenile crime has residents living in fear of violent attacks as police struggle to deter youths running amok on the streets after dark.
And last month an organisation charged with engaging troubled youth became a target after it was revealed the Mareeba PCYC was hit in night-time raids that led to the closure of the Pulse Cafe youth drop-in centre.
According to police data in the Mareeba LGA 417 unlawful entry offences were logged in the 12-months to August 31, a massive increase on the 235 break-ins recorded in the previous 12-month period and 77 per cent increase.
Other theft rates, excluding unlawful entry, amounted to 393 offences in the past year and 102 unlawful use of motor vehicle charges were laid.
Fantasy Tails owner Zac Kroonenburg said seven break-ins in the past year at his Byrnes St business amounted to a $30,000 repair bill, but the psychological toll was more difficult to measure.
“It’s a real trauma ingrained in us and the community, everyone has been touched by crime in one way or another,” he said.
“It’s f**king with people, it’s ruining lives.
“We have actually been broken into seven times. And around about 20 attempted break-ins and so many petty crimes like graffiti I can’t even count.
“Over the past 12 months, it has been pretty insane. It’s mind-boggling.”
The Mareeba business owner highlighted insufficient police resources at night that has now led to serious personal safety concerns after dark.
“We are getting tormented in the streets, we have been attacked in Coles and McDonald’s,” he said.
“They now know who we are and they hone in on us. We don’t even feel safe shopping anymore.”
Far North District Crime Group Detective Inspector Kevin Goan revealed in March this year a new forum to allow police, Youth Justice and Child Safety to share information and zero in on repeat offenders at fortnightly panel discussions.
However the strategy has not reduced assault and break-in rates in the Mareeba area to date.
Police data shows 549 assault charges have been laid in the past 12-months, a sharp escalation on the 279 recorded during the previous 12 months.
But the biggest worry for Mr Kroonenburg and his business partner was a threat yelled while driving down Byrnes St recently.
“Our biggest concern is the pets are going to be injured or hurt or killed,” he said.
“We were driving to get dinner and they were screaming and shouting and one of them said we are going to break in and eat your pets.”
With a main street lease expiring in November Mr Kroonenburg has had enough.
Forced out the CBD the business has relocated to a new shop in the Mareeba industrial estate.
Another Byrnes St business owner Levi Smith confirmed an escalating crime situation.
“We have had attempted break-ins and (caught) kids in our little compound behind the shop,” he said.
The WDS Saddlery owner said an elderly woman who recently sought refuge inside the shop after being stalked was an indicator of a general feeling of insecurity on the street.
“It definitely does instil a bit of fear,” he said.
“I know of several people that have had people inside their house while they have slept, and for some people it has happened to three times.
“It’s definitely a problem that has worsened, things are fairly out of control.”
Queensland Police in a statement to the Cairns Post said the Pulse Cafe was closed due to “operational” pressures.
“Publication of new operating dates and times will be announced on the PCYC Mareeba Facebook page ahead of its reopening,” a spokesman said.
A $260,000 boost to extend the Pulse cafe announced by Youth Justice Leanne Linard last month will now allow the venue to operate seven days a week.
There has been no announcement via social media about the cafe reopening but the Pulse in the park program has been running.
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Originally published as Horrifying threats to eat pets amid Far North’s skyrocketing youth crime crisis
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