LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Sir – The Opposition has been asking the Gunner Labor Government to consider a curfew in Alice Springs since October 2017 as an immediate mechanism to prevent youth crime in the Red Centre.
The Chief Minister refuses to even consider a curfew. A youth curfew is not about punishing kids, it is about supporting and protecting them, giving them a bed to sleep in at night, and it is a way to prevent crime, and protect the community.
Parents need to be held accountable for the whereabouts of their children, but they equally may need help keeping track of their children as there are some who are struggling.
A curfew would give police a tool to prevent crime, identify abusive and neglectful households, and act as a trigger for Territory Families to match youth and their families with the services and support they need.
Unfortunately, the Chief Minister has dug his heels in and refuses to consider a curfew as an option for Alice Springs.
Opposition Leader Gary Higgins
Monday, November 18, 2024
The freedom of the press still furnishes that check upon government which no constitution has ever been able to provide – Chicago Tribune.
Certainly there is no good reason for young kids to be on the street in the middle of the night. Just this morning whilst visiting town I saw a group of at least eight juveniles in the CBD around 5am. Not likely these exhausted kids will then be going to school is it!?
Town was an absolute mess too – looks like every wheelie bin in the CBD had been kicked over and rubbish strewn everywhere.
If the Government in its infinite wisdom takes on the role of “parent of last resort” – which they do – then they need to get into gear and start getting kids off the street and into a warm bed with a stomach full or tucker and off to school.
Given that property crime in Alice Springs has DOUBLED in the last 12 months compared to the last 12 months of the CLP government, there is a lot of work to be done to restore peace, order and guidance and protection of these neglected children.
Garry Higgins, a curfew has been spoken of for years and years. I see it as a valuable tool to protect children from street life and the path it puts them on. Put your money where your mouth is. Commit to the establishment of a properly resourced youth curfew in Alice Springs if you form Government. Commit to what it looks like and how quickly you will do it.
Law and Order is OUT OF CONTROL in Alice Springs. Guns come next.
Oh no! Rascally kids and teenagers. Kicking over bins and breaking a few windows.
I will still take my chances with a sleeping drunk on a footpath and a lippy youth over a drug junkie down south.
What we all want is our control back.
Bring the response group in.
Melky is right! We need to stand up to these no feelings kids who do not understand sad, angry, love.
We want dogs, bring ’em in.
People are scared like anything when dogs are around. The do gooders need to shoosh up.
The night patrols need to get out of their buses, stop smoking and walk around the town.
So much can happen.
@ Watchn: Let me adjust those rose tinted glasses you are wearing. You must be incredibly desensitised to what is the current runaway crime of Alice Springs.
Let’s compare Alice Springs to “Down South” – the entire state of South Australia, for the last 12 months.
In Alice Springs you are 230% more likely to be raped or otherwise sexually assaulted compared to “Down South”.
In Alice Springs you are 564% more likely to be physically assaulted compared to “Down South”.
In Alice Springs you are 375% more likely to have your home broken in to compared to “Down South”.
In Alice Springs you are 381% more likely to have your business broken in to compared to “Down South”.
In Alice Springs you are 661% more likely to have your car stolen compared to “Down South”.
Of course let’s disregard these figures. After all, these are just minor things by – in part – cheeky children. Why could we possibly need a curfew?
Let’s also disregard the incoming reports of the various assaults and hospitalisations that occurred at the hands of youths to patrons leaving licensed premises on Todd Street this weekend.