Concrete outcomes from community crime forum

It was standing room only at Erina Leagues Club on Sunday, March 9, as more than 300 people gathered to hear concerns about escalating youth crime on the Central Coast.

The forum, convened by Facebook Terrigal Community Noticeboard administrator Jo Coleman, saw all three levels of government represented from all political persuasions.

A number of speakers addressed the crowd including Minister for Police and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley, Brisbane Water Police District Commander Superintendent Darryl Jobson, Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid, Liberal candidate for Robertson Lucy Wicks, and Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS) CEO Kim McLoughry.

A number of State MPs and Central Coast councillors also attended.

“The speakers were amazing, answering many of the hard questions,” Coleman said.

She said she was pleased the forum resulted in significant funding announcements for RYSS and the formation of a police strike force.

“It was a fantastic outcome,” she said.

“I am so pleased with the funding announcements, RYSS is so much better off than they were a week ago and it’s only because of the community meeting.

“We will have more meetings and see what else we can get done.

“I was really happy with the result, but we still need more police visibility and changes to the justice system.”

The forum revealed heightened public fear about increased break-ins, property crimes and violent incidents as well as concerns about police response times and lack of follow-up on reported crimes.

There was also community frustration with the criminal justice system and youth crime trends with calls for better youth intervention programs and rehabilitation efforts.

The forum was told the government acknowledged the crime issue and police recruitment and retention efforts were being increased with police operations targeting high-crime areas with increased patrols and arrests.

Investment in rehabilitation and youth diversion programs to reduce re-offending was key, and more mental health support was needed.

Community members also reported frustration over lack of communication from police after incidents, with delays in investigating reported crimes leading to dissatisfaction and loss of trust in the system.

RYSS Operation Manager Alex O’Neal said the funding announcements made in the lead-up to the forum were “very exciting”.

Federal Member for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid announced RYSS was successful in getting $988,650 while Liberal candidate for Robertson Lucy Wicks and the Opposition pledged $3M with $2.227M going to RYSS, including $1.082M to operate a Youth Hub in Dobell and $1.011M for the Gosford Youth Hub.

The funding will allow the program to expand to deliver services to youth aged from 10 to 25 and enable RYSS to deliver engagement outreach activities to Terrigal, Kincumber and Umina.

Under the proposal, Central Coast Council will also receive $800,000 for the upgrade and operation of CCTV networks over a four-year period, including enhancements to the camera network at the Coral St multi-storey carpark at The Entrance.

“It will give us the opportunity to carry on the work we were doing in the youth hub before it closed last year,” O’Neal said.

“It all goes towards working with a large number of vulnerable people.”

He said the forum had brought awareness and people to the conversation.

Next steps covered at the forum included an increased police presence, more police officers and targeted operations in crime-prone areas.

Other proposals canvassed included legislative changes including adjustments to bail laws to prevent repeat youth offenders from being released too quickly and investing in youth rehabilitation.

A strong sentiment to emerge was the need for more community collaboration and strengthened partnerships between police, schools, and social services for early intervention.