Published September 2024
The Opposition is calling on Labor to show leadership and act in response to skyrocketing increases in CBD crime, which is frightening the community and causing havoc for small business owners.
The crimewave sweeping the CBD has continued with Gouger Street traders yesterday expressing their frustration with growing anti-social behaviour on the popular restaurant strip.
Shadow Minister for Community Safety, Police and Corrections, Jack Batty, said Labor had dropped the ball on protecting the community.
“Peter Malinauskas has failed to take action to address skyrocketing rises in CBD crime and unfortunately hard-working local business owners are suffering the consequences,” Mr Batty said.
“How is it acceptable to have groups of kids running riot in the city? We cannot have a situation where we allow criminal kids to target businesses, vandalise shops and steal liquor to drink on our streets.
“These people are terrorising the community – with complaints of people yelling and acting aggressively and reports of shop workers being afraid to walk home.
“The best way to stamp out this sort of crime is to boost police presence – but that can’t be done because we don’t have enough police in training.
“SAPOL is under-resourced – with a shortfall of nearly 200 police officers.
“In the meantime, the additional load on serving police officers is getting heavier and heavier to carry, which unfortunately means many are leaving the force. Labor needs to step up and immediately boost SAPOL resources in high crime areas like the CBD.
“Serious consideration must also be given to law reform – including reviewing penalties and bail – to make sure we stop this crime scourge. City business owners are left picking up the pieces of vandalism and theft almost every day, only to see offenders released hours after being arrested.
“Labor needs to get serious about taking back control of our city streets - it’s clear that community safety just doesn’t seem to be a priority for the Malinauskas Labor Government.”
Media contact: Lesley Johns 0412 583 577
