Warning on egos of young crims
A DIRE but accurate prediction by a reformed teen car thief, about skyrocketing property crime in the wake of Bradley Smith’s death, is now warning against feeding egos of juvenile crims by making them “famous” in the media.
On February 14, 14-year-old Bradley Smith was killed while riding in an allegedly stolen car on Pease St, Manoora.
He was an orphan living within the residential care home system at the time of his death.
Five other teens were injured in the crash that shone a light on the failing child protection sector and kicked off a vehicle theft crime wave.
Now an upstanding citizen, Rob Salafia spent time in one of New South Wales’ most notorious facilities for children with behavioural disorders – Kendall
Grange, which closed in 2000.
Mr Salafia said lingering impacts of institutionalised alcoholism before the introduction of the Cape York alcohol management plan, that began in 2002, was still being felt and disempowerment of parents and foster carers had contributed to a generation of youth with no regard for the law.
“It’s going to take two or three generations to get out of the drinking problem,” he said.
Now a successful businessman, Mr Salafia said he understood that the media were obliged to report upon crime, which had an impact for the wider community, but he urged awareness that criminals were watching.
“There is that much in the media that they are becoming famous for it,” Mr Salafia said.
“These guys relish being in the media.”
So far this year, 503 cars have been stolen.