❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses crime rates in Meekatharra, focusing on the role of alcohol and adequacy of police resources. The Minister's response disputes crime statistics and highlights existing measures.
AnsweredQoN 687Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the statement by Sergeant Yates, the Officer in Charge of the Meekatharra Police Station, last month that his officers are struggling to cope with the alarming growth in the town s crime rate this year and ask - (1) Can the Minister for Police confirm that 642 crimes were committed in Meekatharra last year while there were already 659 as at June 30 this year? (2) Is the Minister aware that Sergeant Yates believes the cheaper alcohol which is available in Meekatharra is the main cause of the problem and that this increase is putting his officers under enormous pressure? (3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 September 2000
Response time
29 days
1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(1) Can the Minister for Police confirm that 642 crimes were committed in Meekatharra last year while there were already 659 as at June 30 this year? (2) Is the Minister aware that Sergeant Yates believes the cheaper alcohol which is available in Meekatharra is the main cause of the problem and that this increase is putting his officers under enormous pressure? (3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(2) Is the Minister aware that Sergeant Yates believes the cheaper alcohol which is available in Meekatharra is the main cause of the problem and that this increase is putting his officers under enormous pressure? (3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(1) Can the Minister for Police confirm that 642 crimes were committed in Meekatharra last year while there were already 659 as at June 30 this year? (2) Is the Minister aware that Sergeant Yates believes the cheaper alcohol which is available in Meekatharra is the main cause of the problem and that this increase is putting his officers under enormous pressure? (3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(2) Is the Minister aware that Sergeant Yates believes the cheaper alcohol which is available in Meekatharra is the main cause of the problem and that this increase is putting his officers under enormous pressure? (3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(3) What steps has the Minister taken to address the problem of cheaper alcohol? (4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(4) What increased resources and funding has the Minister made or will immediately be making available to the station? (5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
(5) If none, why not? Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
Answered on 14 September 2000 The Minister Replied: 1. No. There were 540 reported offences in Meekatharra during 1999, and 304 reported offences in the first six months of 2000. 2. Meekatharra is a regional commercial centre, and prices of goods generally tend to be cheaper than those offered in surrounding remote communities. Meekatharra has a Liquor Accord between the liquor traders and Police to restrict the sale of take-away liquor until 10.00a.m. daily and also to stop the sale of 4 litre wine casks. 3. The Minister for Police supports the work of the WA Police in establishing Liquor Accords with their local Liquor Industry, that allow for local solutions to local problems. 4. The Commissioner of Police is allocated adequate physical and financial resources to provide a service to the state-wide community of Western Australia. The Commissioner, his Senior Executive and Regional Commanders are responsible for monitoring the needs, and distribution of police resources in their area of operation. 5. Not Applicable.
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