BLAME LEFTIES
Tate‘s teen thug worry
GOLD Coast mayor Tom Tate has questioned whether too many “lefty” teachers in Queensland schools are to blame for out-of-control youth crime.
“It does concern me,” Cr Tate said yesterday when asked about the city’s teen thug problem following a spate of attacks.
GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate has questioned whether too many “lefty” teachers in Queensland schools are to blame for out-of-control youth crime.
“It does concern me,” Cr Tate said yesterday when asked about the city’s teen thug problem.
“The trend of disrespect from the younger generation seems to be growing. I put that down to part of our education system, at a state and federal level they should look into that – why is it occurring? Is it because they have too many lefties in the teaching industry? This is a question to be asked.”
The Mayor's comments follow Bulletin reports yesterday of a horrific homophobic bashing at Westfield Coomera and a run of teenagers being violently robbed for their brandnamed clothes.
A number of attacks are happening at shopping centres in the city’s north and train stations. The Bulletin has reported four incidents in the past week.
While Cr Tate and the council had already beefed up the city’s CCTV camera network, he said he would be talking to police about more security cameras, lighting and signage in youth crime hot spots to help keep kids safe.
“In the short term I will be talking to QPS (Queensland Police Service) about additional investment in CCTV and lighting and signage to let them know they are being watched,’’ he said.
“In the near future I will look into those problem areas and get them installed.”
Scentre Group, owner of Westfield shopping centres, declined to answer questions about specific incidents at Coomera Westfield, but said safety was a priority.
Early last week, a 16-yearold girl was attacked at Helensvale Westfield.
“Every situation is different and our experienced team makes decisions on how to manage situations on a caseby-case basis – always with the safety of our customers at heart,” a Scentre Group spokeswoman said.
In parliament yesterday, Police Minister Mark Ryan said he was “disturbed” by a Westfield Coomera assault in which about 10 youths bashed two brothers, who suffered swollen faces and broken ribs.
“To be the victim of a violent assault is a traumatic experience and I share with all Queenslanders in sending our thoughts to the man, his family and his friends.”
He praised the work of police for yesterday arresting two teenagers, aged 15 and 18, at Upper Coomera, before spruiking police numbers on the Coast.
“More than 1000 police officers are based on the Gold Coast and more are coming.
“The Police Commissioner has announced that another 20 police will be deployed to the Coast by June next year and there will be more allocated following that.”
He said programs like Project Booyah and other preventive measures were the future of policing.