Susanna Freymark
Coraki residents fearful of rising crime in their town had many pertinent questions at a community meeting last weekend.
How can we be safe in our homes?
Are we allowed to defend ourselves if someone breaks in?
How can we be safe walking down the street?
Can we have more police patrols?
The Coraki Community Crime Meeting at the Coraki Youth and Community Hall on Sunday, April 28 was organised by Richmond Valley councillor Deb McGillan and Lismore resident Andre Els.
Ms McGillan made it clear that the meeting was “not a witch hunt or vigilante.”
“What we are trying to achieve is to make ourselves safer in our homes and safe walking down the street,” she said.
An audience of about 30 people listened to a panel of speakers including Inspector Nigel Howard from Richmond Police, Federal MP Kevin Hogan, State MP Richie Williamson, mayor Robert Mustow, Levi Loughlin from Lismore based business Region Security, Mac Ward representing the WeWatch app, Mr Els and Ms McGillan.
Mr Els ran a similar session to the one at Coraki with the Goonellabah community when residents there were fed up with the rising crime in their suburb.
He was motivated to do something when his car was broken into while it was in his driveway.
He is a former policeman and has worked at Kings Cross and Redfern in Sydney.
Three hundred people came to the March 3 meeting at Goonellabah.
“People were scared in their own homes,” Mr Els said.
One of the initiatives that came out of the meeting was 6000 people downloaded the WeWatch app, he said.
Mac Ward was at Coraki to talk about the app. He too was motivated by a personal experience of crime in Lismore.
“Someone came into our home just before Christmas and my partner and one year old son were at home,” he said.
That got him into using the WeWatch app.
“The app is like a phone tree,” he said.
If something happens at your house, you can let your neighbours know what has happened.
“It helps stop door-to-door crime.”
Mr Ward gets notifications on his phone if a crime happens in his neighbourhood which means he can check the garage door is locked and check other security measures around the home.
“The more people that use it, the more effective it is,” he said.
The fear of crime, particularly violent crime is a real issue. One elderly woman living in Coraki has had her home broken into six times – she was home for two of the break-ins.
“The kids here have no fear – they’re breaking into shops and homes in the daytime,” a woman said.
More than a week ago on April 15, police said a group of young people used a machete and crowbar to threaten staff at a takeaway shop in Coraki before stealing cash and leaving in the stolen car.
The shop owner who was at the Coraki meeting said she hadn’t been told what had happened to the youth who came into the shop.
“Are they coming back for a second go?” she said.
“We’re sick of it, it’s escalating.”
She said the police took 14 minutes to get to the shop after the robbery and she praised their efforts. They arrested two 16 year old boys shortly after.
Inspector Howard empathised and said he would speak to the shop owner after the meeting to give her an update.
It was clear from much of what Inspector Howard said that he was as frustrated as the residents.
“I’m worried – at the end of the day it comes down to the judge,” he said.
“These judges need to grow some balls,” someone in the crowd shouted.
Inspector Howard said there was only so much he could say as a police officer.
A man asked for more police patrols in Coraki like there was after the floods.
“After the floods, we had extra police resources.” Inspector Howard said.
“These resources have gone back to Sydney.”
He understood residents wanted a greater police presence in the community
Coraki has two police officers allocated, he said.
Are police totally understaffed? someone asked.
“We would like more allocated positions in Richmond PD,” Inspector Howard said.
“That’s up to the government.”
Mr Hogan weighed in on the discussion.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” he said.
“Police share your frustration. They’re out every night dealing with these young kids.
“Magistrates put them back on the street. That is demoralising to police.”
Mr Williamson mentioned the Clontarf Foundation that was running a program in South Grafton helping young men attend school, finish Year 12 and get a job.
“I’d like to see the Clontarf program rolled out here,” he said.
Mr Williamson empathised with the audience.
“I stand with you. Every one of you who says they’ve had enough – we’ve all had enough,” he said.
“The police are doing a fantastic job of catching these criminals. It is the judicial system that lets them out. We need a serious look at bail laws.
“The new laws have not gone far enough.”
He was talking about the recent changes made by the State Government to strengthen bail laws to help prevent repeat youth crime. Parliament passed legislative changes to amend the Bail Act 2013 to include a temporary additional bail test for young people between 14–18 charged with committing serious break and enter offences or car theft while on bail for similar offences.
This change forces police, magistrates and judges to have a high degree of confidence that the young person will not commit a further serious offence while on bail before granting bail again.
Mr Williamson said he was in discussion with businesses about CCTV.
“I’ll go to the Attorney General for funds to help,” he said.
“Police tell me it is a useful tool, community are saying they want it.”
Mr Mustow said the council had applied for CCTV in Coraki but hadn’t been successful.
Mr Williamson also thought improved lighting in public areas could help.
“I’ll advocate for funds from the NSW Government Parliamentary Inquiry into youth crime that is happening right now.”
The inquiry was announced on March 20 and it will investigate the drivers of youth crime in the regions and look at the actions the NSW Government can take to improve community safety.
Mr Williamson urged residents to tell their stories to the inquiry.
For anyone unable to do that, Mr Williamson gave his number (6643 1244) and said his staff would help people find the site.
He has invited the chair of the crime inquiry to come to Coraki.
“I want them to understand what you live with every day,” he said.
“If I can be part of the solution, I’m in.”
Mr Hogan said crime was more complicated in Coraki because those committing crimes were often under 18.
“You know the kids doing this,” he said.
“You know where they live – and they are really young.”
There is the Young Offenders Act and 10–17 year olds are looked at differently, he said.
“They are treated leniently by the judiciary. This has to change for you and for them.
“Often these kids come from dysfunctional families with no stability and no accountability.”
Mr Hogan mentioned Operation Flinders in South Australia that was working with young offenders.
Inspector Howard said the job of the police was to arrest and charge offenders.
“It is up to the court to deal with them,” he said.
The spike in crime across the Northern Rivers prompted Operation Mongoose with a focus on property crime between Coffs Harbour and the Tweed.
Inspector Howard said 34 offenders were identified in the Richmond Police District, and most of them were active at night.
Several residents mentioned truancy as a major issue.
One woman said morale was pretty low in Coraki.
“Could we get some speakers such as Johnathan Thurston?” she said.
Another resident asked if they were allowed to defend themselves with a baseball bat.
Inspector Howard said, “You could get into trouble doing that.”
“If someone is attacking you, you can defend yourself,” he said.
There was talk about curfews, better transport options, bush camps and most agreed prevention was the best solution – to stop the crimes before they happened.
No one has died so far in Coraki, another resident said.
It was a sombre moment in a meeting of emotions, frustration yet some practical solutions were offered.
Based on information from the meeting there were a few practical things residents can do:
Downland and register on the free WeWatch app
Keep your car keys hidden in your house and not near the front door.
Install security cameras – these can be bought at Bunnings costing $400 for two.
Fix and check all locks in your home. Make sure there are locks on screen doors and consider installing Crimsafe screens for air flow and security,.
Get sensor lights – they are a deterrent at night.
Consider an alarm system. This can be costly and is best for when you go away on holiday to protect your home.
Make a submission into the inquiry about regional crime.
Communicate with MPs about crime prevention.
Band together with neighbours and pay for private security patrols.
Keep an eye out for each other.