DEATH IS ONE PUNCH AWAY
YOUNG thugs cannot be allowed to continue bashing other kids or adults they see as soft targets around train stations.
As the mother of the latest victim has warned, police could soon be investigating a “one-punch’’ death if these vicious brats are not dealt with swiftly.
Gold Coast police are not standing by however. They have launched an operation to crack down on an increase in crime around light and heavy rail stations, and on the trains and trams.
The problem has grown since the rail systems were linked at Helensvale, which allows passengers smooth access from the Brisbane line through to Broadbeach.
Of course, the hand-wringers who see no evil as far as out-of-control youth are concerned will be appalled by the suggestion, but you don’t have to be Einstein to spot a link between that easy access and a surge in violent crime. Kids from problem homes can now roam the southeast at will.
The problem for the Gold Coast and its travelling public is the motivation for these bash gangs – with girls often the principal offenders. They crave notoriety.
They will punch and kick the living daylights out of a target for laughs. They record the violent assault and post it to social media. And they rob the victim for good measure.
They will kill someone one day.
Or they will pick the wrong target and cop a savage beating themselves. Or vigilante groups will spring up. None of these can be allowed to happen. Trains, trams and stations have to be safe zones secured by lawful means.
Governments at all levels have to act. If public transport is to be the key part in keeping cities and economies moving, violent groups must not be allowed to turn the stations into no-go areas.
Passengers have to feel confident, knowing they can wait for their train or tram and ride in safety.
But if the public avoids public transport because of crime, then millions of taxpayer dollars are wasted, traffic congestion can only get worse and consequently, families and the economy suffer.
People should be able to walk around the Helensvale shopping mall and the station area without being accosted. A real problem is developing there.
Getting the thugs out of the stations and off the tracks has to be a priority for police and Queensland Rail – and, for once, the courts have to wake up to public expectations and send a message to these youths that they cannot ride roughshod over everyone else.
At the moment these kids laugh at the justice system. They know they can get away with a lot without any harsh penalty.
That has to stop. They can’t be allowed to get away with murder.