CRIME TIME BOMB IS TICKING ONCE AGAIN

It’s something that’s supposed to belong on movie screens or in one of the world’s crime capitals. Groups of car thieves wreaking havoc on roads while police helicopters buzz overhead, and sirens blare through the air as emergency services mobilise to keep a city safe from the frightening advance of brazen criminals.

But this is not fiction.

This is happening on our local streets, in our suburbs and in front of our own homes.

What took place across Townsville yesterday and on Wednesday night defies belief.

Our city came under siege by relentless crime as police battled with car thieves to regain control of the city.

About 10 cars were stolen and people were put in harm’s way as people’s vehicles were rammed. Others were put in life-threatening situations as they tried to come to the aid of others.

The QGAIR helicopter was dispatched to help police keep track of the escalating situation, which has left residents in shock.

Just where will it lead?

Last year our community found out the horrific answer.

WHAT TOOK PLACE ACROSS TOWNSVILLE YESTERDAY AND ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT DEFIES BELIEF.

On June 7, 2020, four children were killed when the car they were travelling in smashed into a pole at the intersection of Duckworth Street and Bayswater Road in the early hours of the morning.

It was the ticking time bomb everyone knew — deep down — would eventually go off.

But when it happened, hard to comprehend.

Now it feels as though the ticking time bomb has been reset and ready to go off again.

Something has got to give, and what has been put in place to combat crime in our city simply isn’t working.

The thoughts of the city can be best placed in the words of a victim of yesterday’s crime, Alan Berry.

“What’s it going to take for change to happen?” he said.

“Someone is going to get killed, whether it’s one of them, or an innocent member of the public. Whether that will do it or not, I don’t know.” it was still