Premier Steven Miles has announced a $1.28 billion plan to combat crime in Queensland, which will increase the number of police officers on the ground by hundreds, update police stations and equipment, and provide greater assistance to victims of crime.
The massive monetary infusion coincides with rising worries over rates of domestic violence and juvenile crime that are on the rise.
In addition to the more than 2000 police officers that have already been announced, the new Community Safety Plan calls for the deployment of an additional 900 policemen on the ground.
New Polair capabilities will aid Cairns and the Sunshine Coast, while state-wide police resources, such as improved police stations and the Townsville Police Academy, will be enhanced.
Two other pieces of law are also planned to be introduced: one that forbids ramming an emergency vehicle and the other that forbids eluding the police and creating an accident that results in harm or death.
With an additional $3.2 million in funding over four years, Crime Stoppers, Neighborhood Watch, the Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group, and the Stop Coward Punch Campaign will all benefit.
“Crime and its causes are complex – often stemming from experiences of domestic violence, homelessness, disengagement from education, poor mental health and lack of family support,” Miles stated.
“My government’s Community Safety Plan for Queensland is about delivering the evidence-based prevention and intervention services to prevent crime from occurring, while giving police the tools and laws they need to track and detain offenders.”
The actions that were implemented at the beginning of the year have been attributed by the premier to a drop of 10.7% in juvenile crime overall when compared to the same period the previous year.
The announcement of a $36 million increase for Queensland’s domestic violence services yesterday followed thousands of people participating in nationwide protests against gender-based violence over the weekend. Senator Murray Watt and Premier Steven Miles participated in one of the marches through Brisbane’s city center.
Data gathered by anti-violence groups indicates that at least 27 women have died in Australia this year, allegedly at the hands of men.
