Residents to patrol streets in crime crackdown
Posted
Residents in the west of Cairns, in far north Queensland, will soon be patrolling the streets in a State Government backed bid to combat crime.
The State Government says it will provide $80,000 to train and equip residents to patrol the streets of Manoora, Mooroobool, Manunda and Westcourt.
Cairns MP Desley Boyle says it is the result of concerns people voiced at a recent community forum about rising crime and inadequate police numbers.
"We're going to reclaim the streets, we're going to make them safe so we can stroll around the evenings without expecting any kind of crime or threat to our safety," she said.
She says local residents have raised concerns about a rise in crime in the area, and believe the police presence is inadequate.
"These patrols will really work at all those levels of making the community safer, dealing with the crime, but also dealing with the community when some facilitation to improve harmony in these communities is needed," she said.
Christine Ackraman from the Cairns West Community Centre welcomes the idea.
"I think it's a very good idea to have citizens who are well trained and know how to mediate," she said.
The patrols are expected to be up and running by the end of the month.
