POLLIES NEED TO STEP UP AND ACT ON VIOLENCE
AT the risk of sounding like a broken record, more needs to be done on crime in this city. On Sunday night, Bulletin reporters saw first-hand what Townsville Police are going through on a nightly basis.
Arriving at a street brawl in Vincent, police and ambulance officers were kept busy trying to control the situation, then find out what happened, when about 20 people started attacking each other in public.
Three people were that badly injured they required transfer to the Townsville University Hospital.
But that’s just been the tip of the iceberg for police and emergency services for the past 18 months.
Five people have died as a result of the crime wave and while the amount of crime ebbs and flows, things seem to be ramping up to a dangerous high again now.
Recently we have had police attacked, their cars rammed, and bricks and rocks thrown at them while they are driving.
Yet our state politicians who are supposed to be in control of the situation do very little.
Our local members put out a few statements on social media claiming they are cracking down but where is the plan? Where is the solid plan to give people in Townsville hope that the situation is going to improve?
The Townsville Bulletin cops a bit of flak for wanting action. Many in the business community would prefer the issue was swept under the carpet.
But while serious events like Sunday night’s brawl continue to threaten lives, it’s impossible to ignore.
Now the Katter party has demanded Police Minister Mark Ryan and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard come and live here until Christmas so they can see the issues facing the community.
It’s a good idea.
Living the high life in Brisbane does not give perspective on North Queensland.
A few months living and talking to real people on the ground might just give them some insight into the needs of the community.
They are the only ones who can make change; it’s time to step up and act like leaders.
Townsville’s three Labor state pollies should be demanding it, too.
They are the ones facing an outraged community daily.