Calls to clear streets
Top cop will act on itinerants
SHOPKEEPERS tired of drunk and abusive itinerants scaring off customers have vented their concerns with North Queensland’s top cop.
Cairns MP Michael Healy invited Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor for an afternoon stroll through the CBD this week to gather intel on their most pressing worries.
The continual presence of loud, intoxicated men and women hassling and generally frightening clients was a common thread throughout the city centre.
“We’re just getting around to see if what we’ve done has made a difference, what else we can do, and even just reassuring people to make sure the community knows we’re trying to work better with key partners,” Assistant Commissioner Taylor said.
“We’re trying to shape the policing to make sure the CBD and businesses have opportunities to recognise the maximum benefits of tourism.
“We know that if the poor behaviour of people in and around the CBD can negatively impact on that, then it’s up to us to step up and do something about it.”
Some inroads have been made in recent months with the recent doubling of the Cairns Anti-social and Public Space Team ranks from two to four.
But Mr Healy said there was more work to be done, and he was pushing for funding in next week’s State Budget announcement to extend the Lyons St Diversionary Centre.
He said any policing work needed to happen alongside investment in child safety and other social work to deal with the problem at its root.
“What the police do is the end result,” he said.
“It starts at the collapse of the traditional family unit, substance abuse and all these sorts of things.
“This is just one part of a broader program, and we need to make sure we’re working at all those levels and that all parties are working together.”
Assistant Commissioner Taylor said police were trying to better leverage co-ordination with Cairns Regional Council’s CCTV operators to get officers where they were needed quicker.
“If we’re more responsive with information as it comes to hand, we’ll get better outcomes,” he said.
“Police officers want to make sure the CBD is a safe place for their family and friends to come to as well.
“We’re passionate about the place so we want to see it do well.
“That’s why we want to get the mix right.”
IF WE’RE MORE RESPONSIVE WITH INFORMATION AS IT COMES TO HAND, WE’LL GET BETTER OUTCOMES ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER PAUL TAYLOR