MP’s plan arrested

No cops at special day

A GOLD Coast MP says a plan for a beat cop to deliver a birthday surprise to kids in his community was scrapped because of “perception” concerns.

Bonney MP Sam O’Connor proposed it last month and noted it would only be a quick drive-by to “brighten a kid’s day” and it would not interfere with urgent jobs.

“Is your kid having a birthday at home? Our local Police Beat officer has offered to make it a little more special by driving past and flashing his lights and sirens,” a Facebook post said. “Message me your kid’s name, gender and your address and I’ll see when we can drop by.”

The call-out to Arundel and Parkwood families attracted hundreds of comments from people keen to take it up.

But it was abandoned after concerns it would “create a perception resources were being diverted away from their normal job of protecting our community”, Mr O’Connor said in another Facebook post.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said: “While the intent is understood it is not possible to provide this service equally to all children wanting a home birthday visit.”

The spokesman said police valued the importance of engaging with youth and did so through numerous programs.

City police were being deployed on business-as-usual duties plus border checks, business and public space security patrols and investigations into breaches of health directives to halt coronavirus, police said.

Mr O’Connor said he understood the decision. “I still don’t think it would have been too much of a problem.”

Mr O’Connor and the Multicultural Families Organisation still delivered presents to children celebrating their birthdays.