Let’s unite efforts
WHEN you see what can happen when all levels of government work together as they have with COVID- 19 it makes you question why the same principles can’t be applied to solve our juvenile crime issues.
We at One Community, One Standard have always been about getting all three levels of government, and candidates for upcoming elections to come together in an action session to ensure the youth justice legislation reflects community standards.
To do this we believe the most effective way is to:
• Identify the real root causes of our problems, respect is at the forefront;
• Prioritise the areas that require immediate action;
• Work out a plan of attack for each and allocate actions, dates, etc;
• Agree who is responsible for legislative change if necessary and get it done;
• Provide government support rather than red tape for initiative actions;
• Obtain and confirm bipartisan support for long-term funding; and
• Identify actions required for remaining holes or opportunities.
Let’s just cut the party politics out and work together to ensure the safety and sanctity of your home is paramount to the community you represent. Surely home security has to be at the forefront as we move toward rebuilding our nation.
While any funding is welcomed, $1.5 million over four years or $375,000 a year will just not cut it on its own and on country programs are just one part of the plan.
We also want to make it clear our programs are for all troubled kids as we are One Community and we have one standard and these kids will need to earn the right to enter our programs.
The only way to enact change is to make a change to the cycle of what is happening now.
Let’s start with Cleveland Youth Detention Centre and do a review of current consequences for actions, lack of respect for officers, themselves and the public.
Take real action and be honest with what has happened before and stop making excuses for them and their behaviour.
Everyone we talk to is at a loss to explain how these kids do so much damage, riot on roof tops with little or no consequence and generally seem to run the place with assistance from those commonly referred to as the care bears.
For kids to be eligible for our programs they must earn the right to attend by showing measurable good behaviour in Cleveland and until that changes our programs will not achieve the desired outcomes as they would be purposely undermined by the same group of kids that are not used to consequences for actions.
JEFF ADAMS, One Community, One Standard.