Funding backs a safe mix
A FAR North Crime Stoppers boss hopes a quiet coffee from a new purpose-built van set up at crime scenes and hot spots could become a key crimefighting weapon.
The Cairns and Cape York branch was named as one of 10 recipients of a Federal Government grant yesterday and the $20,000 will be put towards a $50,000 van that could be on the road by June.
Crime Stoppers Cairns volunteer area committee police representative Det Sen-Sgt Kevin Goan said the idea was to encourage people to report crime to the anonymous service by having a chat in a comfortable environment.
He highlighted the murder investigations in Cooktown and at Wangetti Beach involving Donna Steele and Toyah Cordingley as sites where the van could have been used.
“It would have been a tremendous opportunity where members of the public were coming to pay their respects to Toyah Cordingley to be able to offer them a cup of coffee and potentially empower them to speak anonymously,” he said. “It could also be taken out into high crime areas to hopefully make people feel more comfortable to report crime anonymously.”
Among the other recipients was the Surf Life Saving Queensland North Queensland branch, which would use $14,000 to replace two inflatable rescue boats.
Branch regional manager Rob Davidson said the new vessels meant they could respond better to incidents and events such as Cairns Ironman.
“We want to acknowledge the Federal Government’s support in helping keep the North Queensland community safe.”
The grants were part of the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program and Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said they would deliver significant community benefits.