Public ignored by cops, says MP

POLICE are “at the end of their tether” and residents are frustrated as officers struggle to juggle day-to-day work with quarantine and border duties, says a Gold Coast MP.

Surfers Paradise MP JohnPaul Langbroek said he had been “inundated” by residents’ complaints about slow or nonexistent police responses to incidents. He pointed to text messages from a “police source”, including one which read: “No rostered car, beat or van last night (Tuesday) in Surfers. No rostered car crew tonight in Broadbeach for night shift.”

However, the Queensland Police Service strongly denied there were insufficient resources. A police spokesman said: “Surfers Paradise was well staffed with over 21 officers across first-response car crews, beat crews, bicycle patrols and counter staff.”

The Bulletin has repeatedly reported on police concerns during the pandemic.

Police Minister Mark Ryan has not disputed police were stretched, but said: “I know how hard our police on the Gold Coast are working to keep the community safe, whether it be the outstanding work they are doing on the borders, in hotel quarantine or on the streets.”

Mr Langbroek, who is seeking re-election on October 31, said frustration was mounting.

“I’ve just got an epidemic of local residents who are frustrated. There seems to be next to no public police presence,” he said. “People are frustrated. When they’re burgled no one comes to see them.

“People write to Policelink and nothing happens. People have their homes broken into and feel like no one is listening.”

Mr Langbroek blamed “problems with resourcing from Brisbane” and claimed residents felt “powerless and frightened”.

“I think police are at the end of their tether. It’s not their fault. In terms of staff, it’s not about the overtime anymore — you’re just exhausted, you’re knackered.”

A police spokesman said the Entertainment Precinct Bicycle Squad had been released from border duties as of October 10 and city police were supplemented by external officers.

“Additionally, the Gold Coast District Tasking and Coordination Centre constantly monitors operational needs across the district and deploys resources accordingly including Surfers Paradise,” he said.

Mr Langbroek flagged more officers and anti-hooning measures if the LNP was elected.

“We have stopped this once with the anti-bikie laws and we can do it again,” he said.

Mr Ryan said the State Government had made a “historic investment” in the police service, which would deliver 2025 more police statewide, including a minimum 150 in the city.

The state had six active COVID-19 cases on Friday and 1167 cases since the pandemic began.