Kullari Patrol seeks more support as huge influx of rough-sleepers in Broome puts pressure on service

The head of a service picking people up off the streets and taking them to safe places is putting feelers out for more support to cope with the huge influx of out-of-towners sleeping rough and causing trouble in Broome. Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation’s Kullarri Patrol works to divert Indigenous people from the criminal justice system by picking them up and taking them to a safe place, as well as providing food for communal meals. MAC chief executive Neil Gower said the service was moving more than 1200 people a month due to an influx of people partly rooted in remote community closures. “It meant people had to move to the bigger communities and if there were no pubs and nothing to do, they would just come to the closest town,” Mr Gower said. “Why not come to Broome? There’s lovely lawns, nice beaches and more relaxed alcohol restrictions. It’s part of the reason why we have kids running amuck, walking around with weapons, stealing cars and smashing windows.” Mr Gower said the closure of Broome’s sobering-up centre had further exacerbated problems, although he noted the service itself needed change. “The centre only had 25 beds, which wasn’t enough, and there was no aftercare service so people would just be let go in the morning — it’s truly pathetic,” he said. At last week’s council meeting the patrol secured a three-year, $20,000-a-year commitment from the Shire of Broome. Shire president Harold Tracey said the service played a vital role in aiding police by safely redirecting intoxicated people to essential services or other safe places. “The Shire council ... recognise Kullarri Patrol as critical in helping address the wider issue of public safety in Broome,” he said. “Kullarri Patrol officers also correlate data on the people who use their service (which) is useful information to assist the broader public safety initiative. “The collaboration between the Shire and Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation’s Kullarri Patrol ensures a safer community for all.” Mr Gower said he was working with the Shire to consult other agencies for further support. “We operate 363 days a year in Broome, but we don’t get the funding some of the others do,” he said. Mr Gower said the Shire grant would be added to a pool of funds which supported returning people to country. On the patrol’s diversionary programs, Mr Gower said success was hard to measure. “Some people receive $200,000 royalty payments, cash in pocket, but they still go and gamble in the park and sleep rough,” he said. “They often go straight back to drinking because it is all they can do in terms of entertainment.” “But sometimes we have families who will attend a barbecue in the park, then join us for an activity or outing the next day.” Mr Gower said the barbecues were “big wins” as it meant people were going 24 hours without alcohol.