❓ Ms Davies asks the Premier about the government's consideration of a specific intervention program proposed by the Shire of Carnarvon to address crime and antisocial behaviour. The Premier responds by outlining several existing government initiatives aimed at tackling these issues in Carnarvon.
AnsweredQoN 458Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CRIME AND ANTISOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR — CARNARVON
458. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the letter written to the
Premier and members of his cabinet from the president of the Shire of
Carnarvon, Eddie Smith, that outlines the challenges facing his community. It
includes the comment —
It breaks my heart when I am told of
an 86 year-old woman who is woken at night by a group of children standing over her bed, who then go on to steal
items and trash her property. The elderly � are living in fear!
Has the government considered the
proposal for the intensive family and community intervention support program,
which was developed by the Shire of Carnarvon in consultation with key
community stakeholders, including Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation, and is
designed to tackle these difficult issues; and, if not, why not?
BEHAVIOUR — CARNARVON
458. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the letter written to the
Premier and members of his cabinet from the president of the Shire of
Carnarvon, Eddie Smith, that outlines the challenges facing his community. It
includes the comment —
It breaks my heart when I am told of
an 86 year-old woman who is woken at night by a group of children standing over her bed, who then go on to steal
items and trash her property. The elderly � are living in fear!
Has the government considered the
proposal for the intensive family and community intervention support program,
which was developed by the Shire of Carnarvon in consultation with key
community stakeholders, including Yinggarda Aboriginal Corporation, and is
designed to tackle these difficult issues; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition
for the question.
The
Western Australian government recognises that some significant antisocial
issues have been occurring in various parts of the state. That is why we
are employing an additional 1 100 police officers across Western Australia.
That is a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the
police force, which is exactly what the former Commissioner of Police, now Governor,
requested when he sought additional resourcing. In addition, there has been a significant
increase in the complement at Carnarvon Police Station of full-time police
officers, plus an additional youth police officer to Carnarvon. That has been a
significant boost to the station that will provide additional resources to deal
with these issues.
Thirdly, Operation Regional Shield
has been deployed to Carnarvon to support police with additional overtime, in
particular for dealing with youth offending in Carnarvon. Fourthly, the Western
Australian government has put in place, in conjunction with police, what is
called Operation Test Curve, to reduce juvenile offending antisocial behaviour.
This is about engaging street-present juveniles, targeting offenders, and crime
reduction strategies.
Fifthly, the Target 120 program is
being rolled out across parts of regional WA, including Carnarvon. That is an
$11.1 million increase. That is a peer-reviewed program that we brought in when
we came to office. It is designed to intervene early in families where children
are having severe difficulties and give parents and families the appropriate
strategies to enable them to provide more structure and support for their
children so that they do not engage in
antisocial and criminal behaviour. Sixthly, the community youth officers for
the program are being recruited currently, so that is already occurring.
That program has worked effectively across the state. It is evidence-based. It
has actually reduced offending in families where these difficulties are in
place.
I have been to Carnarvon a few times
in the last year or so. The PCYC is one thing that we have brought into the town centre. The gym, which is relatively new, has
been converted to the PCYC. That is being appropriately resourced to
provide a huge number of additional activities to engage young people in Carnarvon.
I realise these issues are
difficult. They are difficult for all involved. They are very unpleasant for
all involved. There are six or seven
different initiatives that the government has put in place to deal with these
issues in Carnarvon.
for the question.
The
Western Australian government recognises that some significant antisocial
issues have been occurring in various parts of the state. That is why we
are employing an additional 1 100 police officers across Western Australia.
That is a 15 to 20 per cent increase in the
police force, which is exactly what the former Commissioner of Police, now Governor,
requested when he sought additional resourcing. In addition, there has been a significant
increase in the complement at Carnarvon Police Station of full-time police
officers, plus an additional youth police officer to Carnarvon. That has been a
significant boost to the station that will provide additional resources to deal
with these issues.
Thirdly, Operation Regional Shield
has been deployed to Carnarvon to support police with additional overtime, in
particular for dealing with youth offending in Carnarvon. Fourthly, the Western
Australian government has put in place, in conjunction with police, what is
called Operation Test Curve, to reduce juvenile offending antisocial behaviour.
This is about engaging street-present juveniles, targeting offenders, and crime
reduction strategies.
Fifthly, the Target 120 program is
being rolled out across parts of regional WA, including Carnarvon. That is an
$11.1 million increase. That is a peer-reviewed program that we brought in when
we came to office. It is designed to intervene early in families where children
are having severe difficulties and give parents and families the appropriate
strategies to enable them to provide more structure and support for their
children so that they do not engage in
antisocial and criminal behaviour. Sixthly, the community youth officers for
the program are being recruited currently, so that is already occurring.
That program has worked effectively across the state. It is evidence-based. It
has actually reduced offending in families where these difficulties are in
place.
I have been to Carnarvon a few times
in the last year or so. The PCYC is one thing that we have brought into the town centre. The gym, which is relatively new, has
been converted to the PCYC. That is being appropriately resourced to
provide a huge number of additional activities to engage young people in Carnarvon.
I realise these issues are
difficult. They are difficult for all involved. They are very unpleasant for
all involved. There are six or seven
different initiatives that the government has put in place to deal with these
issues in Carnarvon.
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