Decrease in ‘sly grog’ sees reduction in property offences
to just four this year. Offending in April showed a similar trend, with just seven offences committed compared with 31 last year.
Sen-sgt Rutherford said the steep decline was due to multiple factors.
“It’s a combination of people following the directions relating to the Chief Health Officer’s advice and overall reduction in the amount of sly grog getting on to the island,” he said.
Palm Island residents were forced into lockdown in March under the State Government’s advice to close off regional Aboriginal communities in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus into vulnerable areas. The eager residents were finally let out on Friday and arrived at the mainland to buy essential items, but alcohol limits still apply.
Palm Island is among a group of islands in the area that are subject to alcohol limits, with offenders facing a maximum penalty of $50,000
for a first offence. A person, car or boat can only carry 11.25 litres of any alcohol with a concentrate of less than 4 per cent.
Sen-sgt Rutherford, who was assisting at the barge yesterday, said most people obeyed the regulations.
“The management program is working as it should be by restricting permitted liquor to mid-strength,” he said.
“Like everywhere it has its ups and downs, but hopefully we are continually moving forward and striving to reduce crime across all crime classes.”
Sen-sgt Rutherford said domestic violence was one of the most prolific offences on the island.
He said he had noticed a drop in offending, which was mirrored by a 41 per cent drop in breaches of domestic violence between February and April this year. Despite the crime slumps, drug offending spiked between March and April, while liquor offences slowly decreased to zero charges between February and May.