State Election 2021: How Kimberley Liberal, Labor, Greens and Nationals candidates will tackle youth crime

A prominent Aboriginal activist has urged the State Government to listen to calls from across the Kimberley for safe places for troubled youth to be established. The idea was raised recently by the region’s top cop, who called on the State Government to urgently open a “safe place” for troubled youth on the streets in Broome to curb high crime rates. Kimberley District Supt Greg Crofts said police needed a secure place to drop children being picked up at night, who did not want to return to their homes and were likely to offend. Detained youngsters who have been apprehended or are considered “at-risk” in the town can currently only be taken back home or held at the police station until a safe location is found. Supt Crofts said many children did not want to be in their houses because of the behaviour of people present, meaning they were highly likely to end up back on the streets. Now, former Kimberley Land Council director Marianne Skeen has backed Supt Crofts’ calls for the facilities to be established across the region. “We need to start taking responsibility for how these children are growing up,” she said. “They are our future, but we’re leaving them to roam the streets and get up to all sorts of crime at night. I think it sounds like a good idea. We need them in each of the towns and communities.” KIMBERLEY CANDIDATES’ YOUTH CRIME PLANS Divina D’Anna — Labor Ms D’Anna said the State Government was open to any new ideas, but did not directly address calls for safe places to be established. “There’s no magic solution, but the McGowan Government is focused on strongly supporting programs which divert young people away from a life of crime,” she said. “Projects and initiatives like the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy positively engage at-risk young people with activities and opportunities to develop their life skills. “This is a long-term strategy, which will include further funding suggestions to be taken to government as consultation continues and more ideas are brought forward.” Millie Hills — Nationals Ms Hills said the State Government needed to do more to address juvenile crime rates and the factors leading to criminal behaviour. “Our conversations with people in Broome and Derby made it very clear a fresh approach is needed to manage the spike in crime, particularly juvenile justice” she said. “People recognise the issues are complex, with many pointing out the current system is not working and wanting to see the Government come up with some alternative approaches.” “Government, community leaders and elders must all work together to develop a new juvenile justice strategy, because the current one isn’t working for the West Kimberley.” Ms Hills said she supported establishment of a safe place facility to be established, but said it should go one step further in catering to the needs of troubled youth. “This could provide a circuit breaker away from negative influences and give police and the justice system an option beyond the current bail-or-jail model,” she said. “It could also include some wraparound support services, skills training, and short-stay accommodation.” Geoff Haerewa — Liberals Mr Haerewa said he had been fighting for establishment of safe places as Shire of Derby-West Kimberley president. “This is something I’ve been asking the State Government to think about for years,” he said. “I brought the idea up at the Broome community safety forum in December, but I’ve had a lot of push back from the Department of Communities. “They say it’s difficult to get people to work at these places, it’s expensive as they need to be open 24 hours a day and a whole load of other reasons.” Mr Haerewa said the recently established night patrol in Derby had proved useful as one option for helping disenfranchised youth, but patrol participant’s powers were limited. “They are coming across kids by themselves in the street in all hours of the night. They feed them and talk to them, but they have nowhere to take them after,” he said. “These kids do not want to go home for various reasons — we need somewhere these kids can be safe, have a meal and get a decent night of sleep without being interrupted by family members or other people in the household. “It’s not going just magically solve all the issues, but it’s definitely a step towards finding the solution.” Naomi Pigram — Greens Ms Pigram said a safe place was a “band-aid” solution and instead revealed she would push for a review into existing funding for youth services and improved accountability. “Poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem ... I don’t believe a 24-hour emergency stop for these young people will address any of those causes,” she said. “There is a lot of grabbing at the pool of money for our young people but where are the reports on outcomes? “What I am motivated by is creating a space where you can ask people about accountability — where is money going and is it working.” Ms Pigram said it was sad to see youth crime becoming “the norm” and overshadowing positive stories about Kimberley children.