Cop shortage led to bail
THE availability of police crews to transport offenders to Townsville when they are remanded in custody has been cited as the reason a man, who allegedly committed 20 offences on eight different occasions, was allowed bail in Ayr, and he is not the only one.
Magistrate Ross Mack slammed the revelation during court last Wednesday saying it was a “resource problem”.
“They don’t want to pay overtime for someone to drive up to Townsville – it is as simple as that,” Mr Mack said.
“Meanwhile, we’ve got this fella who has been charged with one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight separate occasions and we haven’t finalised one of them.”
Police prosecutor Kellie Mythen said she raised Mr Mack’s concerns with the officer-in-charge of Ayr police.
“He reiterated to me that the issue with that … is the ability to transport persons to and from Townsville when they are remanded in custody given how frequent court sits,” Ms Mythen said.
“That is the predominant reason why most of these people are being granted bail …”
However, Police Minister Mark Ryan said he was assured Ayr had appropriate resourcing.
“The availability of resources is not a determining factor
HARMONY will be the focus in the heart of the city when the newest creation is unveiled in Townsville tonight.
Colour has transformed the side of the Townsville District Police Headquarters into a 8m high vibrant art mural featuring turtles and jellyfish.
Larrakia artist from Darwin, Hafleg has been working on the latest art mural since Monday. when considering the opposition to bail,” Mr Ryan said.
“Each case is considered on its merits in line with the provisions of the Bail Act or other relevant legislation.
“Where relevant, all officers are required to consider an application to oppose bail.”
Burdekin MP Dale Last has suggested a prison transport bus in a bid to resolve the number of police officers being tasked with prisoner transport.
“Maybe Minister Ryan should find a bus, attach some shackles to the seats and arrange for prisoners to be picked up and transported to Townsville,” he said. “If he’s serious about tackling crime, he should be doing whatever is needed to keep our police officers on the streets, not tied up transporting prisoners.”
The Townsville district, which includes Ayr, will receive an additional 53 police officers by June.
“In May last year the Minis
The bright spray-painted painting is part of the Townsville Street Art Walking trail.
Hafleg said his mural was a reflection of the bonds that Australian cities share.
“It is a connection between my home, Darwin, and here,” he said. “I come from a turtle nesting island and just through a bit of research, I made a connection through the nesting down here and the ter advised in parliament that the Ayr station was fully staffed. Obviously, they need more staff,” Mr Last said.
“It has to be fixed and it has to be fixed now.”
In parliament on Wednesday the matter was taken as a question on notice after Mr Last raised the matter with the Premier.
Premier Annastacia aszczuk said she found matter “hard to believe, would investigate for him”.
Palthe but nesting back home which happens to be the same (turtle) species.”
The colour scheme is to represent a sunset using the colours of the rainbow.
The official launch of the mural will take place at 6pm-8pm on the corner of Sturt and Stanley streets with complimentary food and drinks.
Booking to attend is not required.