Community
14 February, 2024
Patrols curb bad behaviour
AN expansion of Cairns Regional Council security patrols to the city’s suburbs has resulted in a fall in crime.
Deputy mayor Brett Moller told last month’s council monthly meeting that the latest City Safe data was “quite pleasing”.
He said there had been a reduction in anti-social activity in December with city safe incidents reported to the CCT control room of 344 down by 17 per cent, by patrol officers (635) decreasing 19 per cent, alcohol incidents (60) down 29 per cent, rough sleeper instances (953) falling 14 per cent and youth crime (30) down 36 per cent.
Cr Moller said every day of the extra patrols had resulted in a drop in anti-social behaviour and he hoped the trend would continue.
Mayor Terry James said he had received good feedback from residents. He said one woman in her 80s had phoned him, desperate for his help about constant crime and safety issues at Mooroobool where she had lived since 2003.
But since the patrols, as well as a police presence in her suburb, “it’s been quiet ever since. She can’t believe it”, Cr James said. A council report said alcohol and rough sleeper incidents were high “due to increased patrol interceptions”.
