Readers split on issue

THE news that Townsville police officers were being paid to take juvenile offenders to footy games and day trips fishing sparked a huge debate on the Bulletin’s social media yesterday.

While some slammed the initiative, many commenters were actually in favour, citing similar early intervention programs that reduced crime rates in other towns.

Donna Vickers disagreed with the initiative, saying our police officers “are not babysitters” and it was putting members at risk.

“There are youth workers for this, give them the funding so they can better do their job,” she said.

Some like Melissa Smith did feel some sympathy.

“I get that there would be a great number of juvenile offenders who haven’t got a great home life and that some positive reinforcement and support could make a difference to some of these kids, but I don’t think this is the right way to do it,” she said.

Alicia Gavrilov added: “Might give them an idea of what normal is.

“Most of them haven’t had the luck to live without violence, abuse of intoxicants, poverty and so forth, so that’s what life is. This may help them see that there possibly is more to life.”

Catherine Randalls said it was a “great initiative”.

“I don’t see it as a reward as such but of being able to spend quality time with different members of the public (society) that may be different to who these children are used to spending time with,” Ms Randalls said, “with the hope that it brings a positive influence. It would be great to build this throughout the community so that it’s a range of different people not only cops; but what a great way to start.”

Others like Brock Bear thought the idea was “a Band-aid” and did not punish young offenders for their bad behaviour.

“How about rewarding kids that don’t break the law with footy games and fishing?” he suggested.

Matt Harvey agreed, saying “meanwhile, there are parents working two jobs, with wellbehaved children, who can’t afford a family trip to the footy”.

Torhild Parkinson didn’t agree with the idea, commenting: “And they say crime doesn’t pay.

“What is the point of having laws if they are going to offer rewards to those who break the law?”