NEWS Sore that will not heal Youth crime now critical
MORE than 100 people stood outside Parliament House calling for immediate government action against youth crime yesterday.
Camping World owner and rally organiser Kevin Thomas said he was prepared to take any backlash in order to change the criminal system.
“This is a sore that continues to fester,” Mr Thomas said.
“Right now this is driving a divide through our community. Unfortunately if the Government believes the victims are to blame by not protecting their properties properly, they have really got to listen to us.
“This is a make or break election next year and we’re not going to stop here … they’ve got to start listening to us normal people in the street.”
Independent member for Blain Terry Mills and independent member for Nelson Gerry Wood were the only politicians present.
Mr Mills said there were instances where young offenders were receiving more than 150 warnings before any criminal action was taken.
“The way this system is working, once it gets so bad at the very end, then there’s intervention after 150 times,” he said.
“We need to turn that around. It’s quite clear who’s on the wrong track. Deal with it properly at the beginning.”
Former MLA Ross Bohlin recalled the pain of his business Aussie Pooch Nutrition and Wellbeing being ramraided late last year.
“I was in tears, I couldn’t control my emotions anymore,” Mr Bohlin said.
“I’ve been dealing with crime for years as a police officer and as a soldier, but it still destroyed me. When police eventually showed up it was again as if it was my fault. How was it my fault, that we put together a beautiful shop to help people in the NT?”
Throughout the rally people shouted for Chief Minister Michael Gunner to resign.
“His continued failure to address significant economic and criminal matters of concern in the Territory, his failure to address them suitably, shows he is not capable of being the chief minister,” Mr Bohlin said.