POINTLESS CHANGES WON’T STOP KID CRIMS

YOUTH crime is a chicken and egg problem. The state government's new youth justice legislation is supposed to be a solution to the oft made allegation that juvenile offenders are being released back into the community on bail where they continue to reoffend.

But a Legal Affairs and Safety Committee report into the Queensland Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 says there is insufficient evidence the new legislation will even prevent youth crime.

The courts are said to be a toothless tiger, unable to do anything to stop the youth crime problem through sentencing options, with repeat offenders reappearing before magistrates with regularity.

Police say the laws don’t go far enough and the requirement to have “assurances from parents and guardians” is pointless with many alleged offenders having no parents.

Among those on the streets are children as young as 10-years-old, who are party to car thefts and break and enters.

Community stakeholders have repeatedly called upon the authorities to provide programs that will catch at-risk offenders and give them the chance to break the cycle.

In Saturday’s edition of the paper we featured a story about Bernie Shakeshaft’s Backtrack program, which is doing just that, keeping a number of at-risk children out of jail and helping them chase their hopes and dreams.

Mr Shakeshaft said the Armidale program had resulted in a significant drop in youth crime in Dubbo, Broken Hill, Lake Cargelligo, Windsor, Macksville, Tenterfield and Moree.

“We tackle whatever is going on for the young person at the time. It’s long-term, we will work with a kid until we have things sorted out for them,” he said.

Legislation alone will not stop the crime problem for Townsville residents.

The problem requires a more holistic approach if a real solution to the problem is to be achieved.