Labor MP Jen Butler wants a community-style policing method for New Norfolk, Derwent Valley
An MP says the occurrence of a second arson attack in a small Tasmanian town in one month shows just how “out of control” the area’s crime levels are – as community members endure an ongoing crime wave. What the mayor, police said.
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An MP says the occurrence of a second arson attack in a small Tasmanian town in one month shows just how “out of control” the area’s crime levels are – as community members endure an ongoing crime wave.
Labor MP Jen Butler said the second arson incident at the Carinya building on Blair St, New Norfolk on Sunday was proof there was a “real problem” in the community.
The Member for Lyons earlier this month spoke out in the wake of the first fire at the structure and has been calling for an alternative policing model to be brought in to the community since 2017.
A “community-style policing model”, Ms Butler said, would mean an officer who was embedded in the local scene, who knew the local families and their backgrounds.
“Because [New Norfolk] is very much a country town, and the Derwent Valley, and having more of a suburban-style policing model doesn’t really match that community [feel],” Ms Butler said.
“[The residents] want an opportunity to know their police officers.”
But she acknowledged the issue of local crime in the area went deeper than just methods of policing.
“But it’s not just a policing issue; it’s a lack of services for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, and a lack of services for youth justice as well,” she said.
She said that between the hours of midnight and 6am there was not a police presence in New Norfolk, and that was when the crime was happening.
“They have a beautiful new police station, but the presence is not there. The local officers are doing everything they can, but we [are calling] on them to introduce a different style of policing,” she said.
“ … There has to be a change in the way in which we approach crime issues in the Derwent Valley.”
Criminals have now targeted every club in the town, bar one, Ms Butler said.
“And the community is fed up … it is absolutely gorgeous [here] and that kind of level of crime is making people feel very unsafe,” she said.
“They’ve had enough and want something to be done about it.”
Derwent Valley Council Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said the “disappointing” arson incidents “highlighted the need to bring these areas back online”.
“We need to be strategic, and we need to back positive growth that meets our greater needs,” she said.
“While I’m saddened by the senseless destruction, I am also grateful that nobody was hurt, including our fireys who keep getting dragged out of bed to respond to the terrible actions of the few.”
Tasmania Police on Monday confirmed the fire is being investigated by Bridgewater CIB.
A DPFEM spokesperson said police were committed to protecting the community.
Currently, the New Norfolk station has 14 officers – an increase of five since 2014 – and the area was also supported by Bridgewater station officers when needed.
“In addition to support from Bridgewater, New Norfolk is also frequented by Road Policing Services, CIB and Taskforce Saturate,” they said.
“Incidents recorded on the emergency dispatch system show there are very few occasions where Bridgewater division officers are required to attend the New Norfolk area outside [the station’s] operating hours.”
Police asked that anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au, you can stay anonymous. Quote reference number OR 726633.
$500k damage bill: Arsonists hit sleepy town twice in month
October 29: Firebugs have targeted a disused former school hostel just 19 days after it was set alight in an act of arson, with the new damage bill estimated to have tipped half a million dollars.
Multiple triple-0 calls were made to fireys as the blaze spread through the Blair St, New Norfolk building, known as Carinya Education Park, or Carinya hostel, just before midnight on Saturday, October 29.
Tasmania Fire Service crews from Magra, New Norfolk and Bridgewater brigades attended, with fireys spending a total of about two hours at the site.
Fire investigators later deemed the fire had been deliberately lit.
A TFS spokeswoman said the estimated damage bill was approximately $500,000.
The investigation has now been handed over to police, a TFS spokeswoman said.
But this was not the first time the building has been the target of destruction.
State Labor MP and Member for Lyons, Jen Butler, came out swinging against instances of rising crime in the once quiet suburb.
“The people of Derwent Valley have been talking about an out of control crime wave and the recent fire at Carinya hostel is evidence that really, enough is just enough,” Ms Butler told the Mercury earlier in October.
Ms Butler was vocal in a push for a community policing model to be implemented at New Norfolk, as long-term residents shared they were at their wit’s end with recent crime.
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