General News
4 February, 2021
Anti-crime rally this Friday and Saturday
In response to the recent crime wave that has engulfed Atherton and Mareeba over the past few weeks, one resident has decided to take business into is own hands by organising two public rallies to address the increase in youth crime across the region.
In response to the recent crime wave that has engulfed Atherton and Mareeba over the past few weeks, one resident has decided to take business into is own hands by organising two public rallies to address the increase in youth crime across the region.
Bill Cohen from Walkman has said enough is enough and that something needed to be done.
“The idea for this rally came from the constant news we keep hearing about crime on the Tablelands,” he said.
“I had the idea to do something before I even heard about the carjacking in Atherton and that just tipped me over.
“The crime situation has gone overboard, and something needs to change from the local level all the way up to the federal government.”
Mr Cohen said the rallies are open to everyone and that he would like to see as many people as possible attend the meetings.
“We have invited all the councillors from the Council as well as representatives from the NGO’s and the Queensland Police Service,” he said.
“The Crime and Justice Action Group have also thrown their support behind this and we have also invited Cynthia Lui, Shane Knuth and Bob and Robbie Katter.
“At the end of the day, we need a miracle, its not going to happen overnight but something must be done.
“Because what we are doing now is not working. If police lock them up, they are out eight hours later reoffending.”
Mr Cohen said that there are several things need to change urgently.
“We need accountability and we also need hope at the end of the tunnel for everyone,” he said.
“There was a round table last year in town with Cynthia Lui and other stakeholders and absolutely nothing eventuated from that.
“I’m hoping at this rally we can at least get the ball rolling on addressing the crime problem on the Tablelands.”
The first rally takes place this Friday February 5 at Arnold Park on Walsh street in Mareeba from 12pm and the second rally takes place in Atherton on Saturday February 6 at 11am next to the RSL in Railway lane.
