In the picturesque town of Cairns, Queensland, the beauty of the tropical landscape is being overshadowed by a growing concern that has left locals on edge. Business owners and residents are calling for 'harsher penalties' as they face an unsettling wave of youth crime that has left many feeling under siege.

Ashleigh Anderson, a 30-year-old business owner, has become the reluctant face of this local struggle. Her hair salon, Zazu Hair Salon, has been broken into five times in less than a year, with the latest incident involving a group of three youngsters who used a shopping trolley to smash their way in. The theft of $300 worth of goods, including hair products and a pair of straighteners, may seem minor, but the cumulative effect of these break-ins is anything but. The real cost comes in the form of the $1,000 Anderson now has to spend on yet another window replacement, a financial burden that weighs heavily on her shoulders.

The impact of these crimes extends beyond the financial strain. Anderson, a single mother working hard to provide for her family, now goes to bed each night with the fear that her home or business could be the next target. 'It's always on my mind,' she admits, revealing the psychological toll that the constant threat of crime has taken on her.

A Queensland salon owner in Cairns has experienced five break-ins in less than a year. Credit: Queensland Police News

Anderson's story is not an isolated one. Nearby businesses, including a nail salon and a waterfront restaurant, have also fallen victim to similar crimes. The restaurant's ordeal was particularly alarming, with cash stolen and knives taken from the premises. This pattern of crime has left business owners fearing for their future, questioning how long they can keep their doors open under such relentless pressure.

The community's outcry for action has not gone unheard. Earlier this year, Queensland Police assembled a taskforce to crack down on youth crime in Cairns, as well as in Townsville and Brisbane South. In a single week, the taskforce arrested 30 people, including 28 young people, on 94 charges. Yet, despite these efforts, the problem persists, and the community's sense of safety remains fragile.

As the Queensland state election looms on October 26, the issue of youth crime has surged to the forefront of political debate. The Liberal National Party (LNP) has taken a hardline stance with its 'adult time for adult crime' approach, proposing that adult sentences be given to youth offenders. LNP leader David Crisafulli has pledged to make Queensland safer within 100 days of being elected, promising a reduction in victim numbers. Meanwhile, incumbent Premier Steven Miles has criticized the opposition's plan, suggesting it lacks substance.

The community's plea for harsher penalties and more effective solutions is a cry for help that echoes beyond Cairns. Anderson's frustration is shared by many who feel that the government needs to acknowledge the problem and take decisive action. 'Everyone's really annoyed, but nothing gets done about it,' she says, voicing a sentiment that resonates with those who have been affected by the surge in youth crime.

As Australians, we pride ourselves on our sense of community and our ability to look out for one another. The situation in Cairns serves as a stark reminder that our social fabric can be threatened when crime goes unchecked. It's a call to action for not just the government, but for all of us to support our fellow citizens and work towards solutions that will restore peace and security to our communities.

Key Takeaways

• A Queensland business owner has suffered frequent break-ins at her salon in Cairns, with the latest incident being the fifth in under a year.
• Youth crime, particularly break-ins and theft, is affecting local businesses, causing financial strain and impacting the mental well-being of owners.
• A taskforce by Queensland Police aims to tackle the problem, with numerous arrests made recently in a week-long crackdown.
• The issue of youth crime is a significant topic in the upcoming Queensland state election, with differing views on how to handle youth offenders and calls from the community for harsher penalties.

We at the Seniors Discount Club invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Has your community faced similar challenges? What actions do you believe should be taken to address youth crime effectively? Your insights are valuable, and together, we can advocate for a safer Australia for all generations.

 

[Ian Blackwell]

If the police cannot control the crime wave, retailers should adopt what other Asian countries do, employ armed guards at each store, or the business community band together to employ community patrols played part by the business community and the local government!! Camber of commerce should take the lead here.

 

[Luckyus]

Like government, policing has become overly inept thereby rendering themselves utterly useless.

 

[Cheezil]

Police do their jobs, courts let everyone down except the criminals

 

[beauravn]

The reality is that much of today's youth has lost all respect for all older generations from their own parents and grandparents' generation and earlier; and why should they? These are the generations that have, in one form or another, taken away their future. The more they/we look at the legacy of our world right now, it is under threat from climate change, biodiversity collapse, war, pandemics, genetic manipulation, economic decline, a skyrocketing cost of living, etc, etc. From the perspective of much of today's youth, there is NO future for them; there is only the 'thrill of the now'. The adrenal rush that comes with defying the law of those who denied them their life. I have had the privilege of having a few very deep, often tearful discussions with some of our youth and the common answer to many/most questions about their future was either "why?" or "wotev". Their future ambitions in life are simply not worth considering or even discussing.

Youth crime is NOT 'youth crime', it is literally their proverbial 'cry for help'. Help that comes in 2 parts... 1: a serious global attempt at youth inclusivity in relation to ALL matters that affect THEIR world and THEIR future; and, 2: a return to essential 'Rites of Passage' where there is an intergenerational passing on of knowledge, wisdom, and responsibility from the old to the young in order for them to once again learn where the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour lie. Learning discipline and responsibility are 2 of the most essential lessons of youth as they transition into adulthood, and somewhere deep within their psyche, they know it and are screaming out for guidance through this important life transition. Yet, in our 'dare I say 'wokeness'' in terms of disciplinary action at the parental and community level (not 'police', this failing on OUR part is NOT a police matter, it is a community one), we are failing to provide either guidance or a future for them to aim towards. Then we wonder why today's youth are so angry and disrespectful... dear God, they have every damn right to be!

 

[Luckyus]

The reality is that much of today's youth has lost all respect for all older generations from their own parents and grandparents' generation and earlier; and why should they? These are the generations that have, in one form or another, taken away their future. The more they/we look at the legacy of our world right now, it is under threat from climate change, biodiversity collapse, war, pandemics, genetic manipulation, economic decline, a skyrocketing cost of living, etc, etc. From the perspective of much of today's youth, there is NO future for them; there is only the 'thrill of the now'. The adrenal rush that comes with defying the law of those who denied them their life. I have had the privilege of having a few very deep, often tearful discussions with some of our youth and the common answer to many/most questions about their future was either "why?" or "wotev". Their future ambitions in life are simply not worth considering or even discussing.

Youth crime is NOT 'youth crime', it is literally their proverbial 'cry for help'. Help that comes in 2 parts... 1: a serious global attempt at youth inclusivity in relation to ALL matters that affect THEIR world and THEIR future; and, 2: a return to essential 'Rites of Passage' where there is an intergenerational passing on of knowledge, wisdom, and responsibility from the old to the young in order for them to once again learn where the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour lie. Learning discipline and responsibility are 2 of the most essential lessons of youth as they transition into adulthood, and somewhere deep within their psyche, they know it and are screaming out for guidance through this important life transition. Yet, in our 'dare I say 'wokeness'' in terms of disciplinary action at the parental and community level (not 'police', this failing on OUR part is NOT a police matter, it is a community one), we are failing to provide either guidance or a future for them to aim towards. Then we wonder why today's youth are so angry and disrespectful... dear God, they have every damn right to be!

So some useless little prick trying to cut you to pieces with a machete is cry for help, phuck off it's a cry for a nine mill hollow point.

 

[scifibob]

security guards are not allowed to grab the kids or they get charged with assault-no Im not joking
a house holder who held a kid on the floor for 10 min -not tied up or anything was told he may be charged
with assult and the kid was let off with another caution
BLOODY HELL oh no I yelled at a kidycriminal Im of to court now -its getting that bad
ps 11 cars stolen on the weekend ave 3-4 per day at present - but there is no youth crime according to the government
insurance up here is soaring

 

[novezar]

Well when the little "Cherubs & Urchins" get caught, & all they get is a slap over the back of their wrists/ hands by the dopey magistrates, what else can the populous expect.
I just think that "Smiley" will be booted very shortly.
I reckon that when he gets booted, some ones No. 12 will be still up his rectum when he lands.

 

[Glenys R]

Bring back the lash - this will improve the crime rate no end! Some of these little monsters that belt up old people, mistreat animals, steal etc. have records the length of Queen Street. Wake up govt. - go back to the good old days before it's too late!!

 

[Catherines]

My belief - LACK OF PARENTAL GUIDANCE FROM DAY 1. These days, both parents have no time with their youngsters & teens. Almost from Day 1 they are dumped into childcare and that’s where their behaviour, or lack of it, seems to start. Tantrums which someone at day care has to deal with (& not by a smack or loud correcting voice); this then continues at home, in shops and finally parents get to the point of not bothering to correct them so the bad behaviour continues into teenage and early adulthood.

My husband was a marine engineer at sea for up to 4 months at a time. I stayed home, took them to & from school every day until the last & third child was in grade 8 and she could get the bus to and from school with her older brother/s. I have never heard or had them abuse or molest ANYONE - they are now 56, 53 & 49. Even during the early days of them using the bus I was always home (from a casual job) when they got home.

Parents receive quite large monetary ‘gifts’ from the government at birth, and then afterwards till a certain age, for their children and they then go out to work for more money and the children are left to fend for themselves.

We got $2 per child per month in the ‘good old days’ AND I stayed home with my children until they were old enough to get the public bus to and from school on their own. Parental guidance early in life does heaps of good and setting limits does even more good.

 

[Wally53]

Go back to the Good Old Days when we could discipline our children, stop listening to do gooders who most properly don't have children

 

[IAN3005]

Time to start up vigilante groups!!!!

 

[magpie1]

The courts are letting everyone down.....youth crime figures up here is extraordinary, extra police have been brought in to address this problem that has escalated year upon year with car theft, home break ins, business houses in central city location now targeted on regular basis, break ins at local sporting clubhouses and extreme damage and theft along with desecration of public amenities and so on and so forth. Residents up here are living in fear in many cases and the general community has had a complete gutful, particularly but not confined to the local courts that hand down nothing more than a slap on the wrist to offenders who immediately return to the streets with their friends and start all over....some have wrap sheets as long as your arm and are sent straight back out of court and continue their lawlessness straight after. It is a disturbing trend with no end in sight and the community has rightly had enough. The call for the building of youth detention centres is ever growing as is the call from others about re educating the little bastards.
Maybe it's time to bring back National Service for these young constant offenders and get them off our streets for a few years and re educate them alright. Something major has to be done about the court system in order to restore some faith in the Australian legal profession because at the moment the community is totally disenchanted with it and is sick and bloody tired of the fear that exists within many locals minds and the costs that they also must carry to repairs for the damages caused to homes and business houses and the replacement of stolen goods and chattels. ENOUGH.

 

[Janice McKay]

I think that the call for harsher penalties to the youth of today needs to be addressed. We need to bring back youth rehabilitation centre's to curb the thrreat that teenagers need to be held accountable for their actions. Boys homes at least teaches them actions have repercussions.

 

[Noon]

You put them in a cell & you leave them there with limited TV viewing, give them a pad & pencil & tell them why they think they need to break in & destroy other peoples property, what their home life is like & do they want to turn their life around & how would they like to do it. I'd say most of these kids have ADHD/ASD that has not been treated properly, there has to be a reason for their behaviour & it needs to stop.

 

[Gsr]

You put them in a cell & you leave them there with limited TV viewing, give them a pad & pencil & tell them why they think they need to break in & destroy other peoples property, what their home life is like & do they want to turn their life around & how would they like to do it. I'd say most of these kids have ADHD/ASD that has not been treated properly, there has to be a reason for their behaviour & it needs to stop.

Having mental health issues, ADHD/ASD or whatever other excuse these low lifes conjure up should not be allowed as a defence for committing crimes, especially serious crimes. Anyone should and would know right from wrong regardless of any health issues they have. I like the QLD oppositions intention of “adult crime, adult time”. The sooner this is brought in the sooner youth crime will start to be not such a thrill for these low lifes. Judges and magistrates all need to grow a set and start locking these perpetrators up instead of giving them a slap on the wrist and letting them go so that they can continue their life of crime.

 

[Hovis]

The reality is that much of today's youth has lost all respect for all older generations from their own parents and grandparents' generation and earlier; and why should they? These are the generations that have, in one form or another, taken away their future. The more they/we look at the legacy of our world right now, it is under threat from climate change, biodiversity collapse, war, pandemics, genetic manipulation, economic decline, a skyrocketing cost of living, etc, etc. From the perspective of much of today's youth, there is NO future for them; there is only the 'thrill of the now'. The adrenal rush that comes with defying the law of those who denied them their life. I have had the privilege of having a few very deep, often tearful discussions with some of our youth and the common answer to many/most questions about their future was either "why?" or "wotev". Their future ambitions in life are simply not worth considering or even discussing.

Youth crime is NOT 'youth crime', it is literally their proverbial 'cry for help'. Help that comes in 2 parts... 1: a serious global attempt at youth inclusivity in relation to ALL matters that affect THEIR world and THEIR future; and, 2: a return to essential 'Rites of Passage' where there is an intergenerational passing on of knowledge, wisdom, and responsibility from the old to the young in order for them to once again learn where the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour lie. Learning discipline and responsibility are 2 of the most essential lessons of youth as they transition into adulthood, and somewhere deep within their psyche, they know it and are screaming out for guidance through this important life transition. Yet, in our 'dare I say 'wokeness'' in terms of disciplinary action at the parental and community level (not 'police', this failing on OUR part is NOT a police matter, it is a community one), we are failing to provide either guidance or a future for them to aim towards. Then we wonder why today's youth are so angry and disrespectful... dear God, they have every damn right to be!

it cuts both ways - the youth have to be accepting that there are norms to adhere to if they wish to be accepted. Likewise, leadership & support is required from their elders for them to adopt these norms.

 

[beauravn]

it cuts both ways - the youth have to be accepting that there are norms to adhere to if they wish to be accepted. Likewise, leadership & support is required from their elders for them to adopt these norms.

Sure. But the very first thing to learn is exactly what those 'norms' are; where the boundaries are; and then to have the desire and discipline to adopt them rather than smash them down. Right now, our youth have much more reason to 'smash those norms' rather than respect them because we are not honouring, respecting, or providing guidance for them to learn from... and worst of all, we are blindly stealing their future from them and wondering why they are angry about it.

 

[beauravn]

So some useless little prick trying to cut you to pieces with a machete is cry for help, phuck off it's a cry for a nine mill hollow point.

... and so it continues. You respond with rage and anger, they respond with more rage and anger, ad infinitum. Respect begins with removing the 'us and them' attitude and including youth in society once more; including them in decision-making processes that determine the future of their existence, and society as a whole. Give kids a reason to never feel the need or desire to grab their dad's machete from the garden shed in the first place (or for dad to feel the need to buy one in the first place as a 'just in case' tool).

 

[magpie1]

... and so it continues. You respond with rage and anger, they respond with more rage and anger, ad infinitum. Respect begins with removing the 'us and them' attitude and including youth in society once more; including them in decision-making processes that determine the future of their existence, and society as a whole. Give kids a reason to never feel the need or desire to grab their dad's machete from the garden shed in the first place (or for dad to feel the need to buy one in the first place as a 'just in case' tool).

I'll give the kids a good reason for not racing out with a machete in public.... they will get caught by the Police and probably charged with carrying a dangerous weapon in public, this will go on their wrap sheet, and if they have used it against someone who then is injured, well charges again will be brought against them for grievous bodily harm, maybe even attempted murder, which all goes on the wrap sheet, and deciding on which week kneed Magistrate hears the case, they will either get a slap on the wrist or a stint in jail for their lawless action, and that will go on their wrap sheet. In the end they may find it very very difficult finding a job in the future.....just because Mom and Dad didn't teach them society's laws that everyone has to adhere too about carrying weapons in public and using them against members of our society.