PUNISHMENT MUST FIT THE CRIME
What has this town come to? “20 cars stolen and 71 homes broken
into every week” (TB 01/05).
What a disgrace!
Our stereotypically peaceful community is under constant strain and pressure as a result of young out-of-control individuals recklessly roaming the streets.
More recently, the on-the-run carjackers (TB 11/10) have endangered people across our beautiful city, day in and day out.
What is it going to take, another horrendous, horrific death?
Speaking on behalf of a number of law-abiding young people in our city, I know I’m not alone when I say that we must make a change – change in court-sanctioned consequences for repeat offenders.
It is appalling that these young thieves and hooligans in our community are so lightly reprimanded, and the rest of the community is left to deal with the carnage caused.
When will the ineffective consequences stop?
When will recidivist offenders truly be held accountable?
When will the laws be changed? The Queensland government needs to step up and introduce consequences that have an impact.
I applaud the Minister for
Police and Corrective Services, Mark Ryan, who told the parliament, “we’re coming down hard on those who would do harm to the community.”
We need to come down hard. New youth justice legislation was put into play early this year to target a 10 per cent group of “hardcore youth offenders” in Queensland.
While the Queensland police force encourage this law, the youth justice advocates express alarm. They don’t like it.
They are saying this legislation will be ineffective and will “further marginalise vulnerable children”; the same children who are threatening innocent lives daily. Minister Ryan needs support.
We must push for this legislation to be acknowledged and ensure our magistrates embrace it as well.
JORJA LUNDIE, Heatley
54Roman emperor Claudius dies after being poisoned by his wife, Agrippina. His grandnephew and adopted son Nero becomes emperor.
1307
Jacques de
Molay, master of the Knights Templar, is arrested along with other members of his order at the command of King Phillip IV of France. They are charged with heresy and fraud.
1792
The cornerstone of the White House is laid during a ceremony in Washington, the newly designated capital of the US in the District of Columbia.
1868
Thomas Alva Edison (pictured above) applies for his first patent, for an “Electrographic VoteRecorder”. Unlike many of his patents, this is a failure.
1903
The Australian Senate selects the town of Bombala in southeastern NSW as the site for the national capital. This is later rejected in favour of Canberra.
1917
Between 30,000 and 100,000 people witness unusual solar activity in what has become known as the Miracle of the Sun near Fatima in Portugal. Witness accounts vary, but many link the phenomenon with an alleged appearance by the Virgin Mary witnessed by three children.
1933
The first traffic light in Sydney is switched on at the intersection of Market and Kent St near the Queen Victoria Building.
1943
One month after surrendering to the Allied forces, Italy declares war on Germany, its former Axis partner.
1992
A major earthquake rocks Cairo, killing more than 400 and injuring about 4000. The Pyramids, the Sphinx and other monuments remain undamaged.
2010
The first of 33 miners trapped for 69 days in the San Jose mine in Chile is rescued using a specially designed cage. It takes 22 and a half hours to free all the miners.