The Territory Labor Government today unveiled its comprehensive plan to tackle youth crime in Palmerston.
NT Police and Territory Families have identified up to 20 young people at any given time who regularly commit property and other offences in Palmerston. Police have also confirmed that youth represent 73.1% of apprehensions for break-ins in Palmerston. Additionally around 80 young people are at risk, and beginning to disengage from education.
Breaking the Cycle of Youth Crime in Palmerston is a targeted three-pronged strategy to:
1. Intervene on the most dysfunctional families and before kids do the wrong thing
Appointing FIVE specialist Territory Families officers to a new Crossover Families Management Unit to case manage the core group of re-offenders and their families. The five officers will work to address family issues such as overcrowded housing, alcohol abuse, family violence, poverty, not attending school, unemployment and will work closely with police and the courts to advise on appropriate alternative sentencing or diversion programs that fit each individual young person.
These staff will also be used to advise courts on the best sentencing options and will manage the existing Crossover Families Working Group. $1 million has been allocated to the Crossover Families Management Unit which includes the employment of five staff. The positions will be recruited to in January 2019.
A Palmerston Youth Skills Centre will be established.
This centre will operate from mid-2019 and will focus on the 80 or so young people who are at risk in Palmerston. It will be the first Government education training centre to focus on training young people for the skills of the 21st century. Training will be in artificial intelligence, VR, computers and information technology including the use of drones as well as training in life skills, cooking, cleaning, banking and finance. $2.4 million has been allocated to refit an existing facility; $8.5 million in operational funding will be redirected from Education and Territory Families.
This centre will form an immediate part of the Back on Track youth diversion program for frequent offenders as an alternative education program for at risk youth.
The Top End School of Flexible Learning Palmerston Campus will be given a psychologist position commencing from 2019 to better diagnose the needs of young people disengaging from education and determine the best course of individual action.
Adding an additional patrol to the Larrakia Youth Night Patrol in Palmerston, including TWO staff and a larger vehicle (bus) to take young people home and off the streets from Monday 10 December. Cost $300 000
- Establishing a supervised drop in facility in Palmerston to operate 24/7 and provide safe sleeping places for youth who are unable to return home to a safe environment. Cost $1.5 million
Giving courts more diversion and sentencing options through the newly announced Back on Track program that will ensure each of these young people take responsibility for their actions and understand the consequences of their behaviour. Offenders will be required to face their victims and victims will see offenders providing the community with restitution.
Building a new, modern, secure youth justice facility
3. Engaging ALL young people in Palmerston to being part of a strong community
This is about targeting all youth in Palmerston and keeping them engaged with programs and events, (outside of already existing Territory Government-funded comprehensive school holiday programs). This includes:
An annual Palmerston Youth Festival focusing on music and art and incentives to encourage greater participation.
A feasibility study into an E-sports facility the fastest growing sport in the world
Backing a Student Voice Positive Choice program started by Palmerston schools to give youth a voice in the community.
Extending the highly-successful Clontarf Boys Program and Stars/Role Models Girls Programs into Palmerston Primary schools, commencing with around 50 children from Moulden and Driver Primary Schools
This first of its kind, targeted strategy is one part of the Territory Labor Governments plan to cut crime and anti-social behaviour in the NT. This includes record investments in: preventative measures such as education, health and housing; a massive boost to frontline police numbers; the most significant alcohol reforms on record; tackling antisocial behaviour; reforming the broken youth justice system, and an updated Victims Charter that puts victims first.
As noted by Chief Minister Michael Gunner
Breaking the Cycle of Crime in Palmerston is a comprehensive and targeted plan that aims to stop the cycle of crime by targeting at-risk young people before they commit a crime.
However, those young people who do the wrong thing will face the consequences because all Territorians have the right to be safe.
Palmerston residents have had enough of youth crime in their community. Weve heard them loud and clear and taken action. This is why we are focusing our efforts where we know it will get results.
