Solutions needed for crime

THE troubling part of the latest youth crime to hit Townsville is it’s not shocking anymore.

Troubling, disturbing, infuriating – it’s all of that – but sadly the fact the city is not shocked by this now is deeply concerning. In the latest incident a large group of mostly teenagers were caught on camera terrorising people on board a bus, as well as a small-business owner.

That would have been a terrifying moment for those innocent people.

Townsville’s police say they are seeing the same group of people come to their attention over and over again.

Where is the accountability especially when it comes to young people?

How are they being allowed to continuously do this?

A complex situation is exactly what youth crime is.

Researchers say evidence suggests locking people up is making no difference and that seems to be the case.

But right now the alternative ideas being pursued are not working either.

It will take a whole of community approach to fix this serious issue.

Hopefully in the future people in Townsville will be shocked and surprised by youth crime and not just frustrated.

Camping site charge

The council’s plan to start charging people for camping at its sites will be tough to swallow for people. But the facts are these sites cost money to maintain.

Yes they’re basic at best so as Al Toombs says perhaps a lower price would be a better option.

Ratepayers are paying for the upkeep of the sites so they should be looked after.

Obviously they should not be able to take up the sites all the time but they need to available at a cheaper rate than for other people at least once a year.

What is good to see though is Townsville City Council being serious about developing an RV & Camping Strategy. If the region can tap into this sector there is huge potential for the economy.