IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME DON'T DO THE CRIME

Parents do you know where your children are?

Do you know what they are doing?

Are they at where they said they would be?

It is extremely important that parents know where and what their children are doing as they may be putting themselves in some sort of danger or even being coached into a life of crime.

The Governments some years ago promoted the logo "Where are the children" and "Who is looking after the children"

We have read  in Cairns Post the number of young children who are committing offences from bashing, stealing, throwing stones at cars and even stealing and driving large vehicles then crashing them and thank god no one has been injured or even killed.

It is the responsibility of the parent/s to control their children and children are so precious to us and we only live once.

To find out more about caring for children go to google and run a search for either "where are the kids" or "who is minding the children"

George Phillips , an elderly man, from Meridian, Mississippi, was going up to bed, when his wife told him that he'd left the light onin the garden shed, which she could see from the bedroom window.

George opened the back door to go turn off the light, but saw that there were people in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked "Is someone in your house?"

He said "No," but some people are breaking into my garden shed and stealing from me.

Then the police dispatcher said "All patrols are busy. You should lock your doors and an officer will be along when one is available." (heard this before)

George said, "Okay."

He hung up the phone and counted to 30. Then he phoned the police again.

"Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people stealing things from my shed.

 Well, you don't have to worry about them now because I just shot and killed them both, the dogs are eating them right now." and he hung up..

Within five minutes, six Police Cars, a SWAT Team, a Helicopter, two Fire Trucks, a Paramedic, and an Ambulance showed up at the Phillips' residence, and caught the burglars red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George , "I thought you said that you'd shot them!"

George said, "I thought you said there was nobody available!"

(True Story) I LOVE IT!

 Don't mess with old people.

This is no Hoax. Check with Telstra if you doubt its authenticity.

Friday, July 16, 2010

 Great work by our local Police and Dectectives

DETECTIVES have two alleged suspects in custody after five workers were held hostage at Cairns AFL club Cazalys earlier this week.

The statewide manhunt ended this afternoon when police arrested one suspect in Cairns and the other on the northern coast of NSW. 
 
Officers are leaving Cairns this afternoon to start extradition proceedings for one of the suspects interstate. 

Statewide manhunt for Cairns armed robbers | Armed raiders zip-tie Cazalys workers

Inspector of Crime Services Peter Mansfield said it was good police work by the detectives in cracking the case in five days. 
 
He said some of the cash stolen was uncovered and it had been split between the pair. 

The robbery which shocked Cairns put five Cazalys employees through 20 minutes of terror at 1.30am on Monday. 
 
Two men wearing balaclavas, armed with a gun and an iron bar, ambushed the club, zip-tied their victims and raided the club`s safe at Westcourt. 

It is alleged the men took off with the facility's weekend takings in a getaway car they stole from an employee. 

The car was found a short time later on Dillon St, Westcourt. 
 
Charges are expected to be laid later tonight.

More in tomorrow's Weekend Post.

20 minutes of terror as five bound and club robbed

POLICE across the state were on high alert last night for two armed bandits who bound five workers at Cazalys before stealing the club’s takings.

Picture: CHRIS HYDEOn alert: Supt Brent Carter outside Cazalys after yesterday’s armed robbery.

Cairns detectives yesterday launched a statewide manhunt for the pair after the heist, warning they are dangerous and should not be approached.

The robbery, which took about 20 minutes, had all the hallmarks of a well-planned operation, in which the movements of staff may have been watched and the club monitored before hand.

It is believed the bandits had been hiding in the carpark waiting for employees before they struck.

Wearing balaclavas and armed with a gun and an iron bar, the men ambushed two senior managers in the club’s rear carpark as they finished work about 1.30am yesterday.

Heist: Security footage showing the bags used in the armed robbery at Cazalys

They then confronted three cleaners and used heavy-duty zip ties to bind the five workers before locking them in one of the club’s function rooms.

The bandits raided a safe believed to store most of the takings and stole an employee’s car to get away.

They were last seen heading down Tills St at Westcourt but the vehicle, a red Holden Barina, was found dumped at Dillon St.

Police said one of the managers freed himself, untied his colleagues and raised the alarm.

Cairns CIB Det Sen-Sgt Ed Kinbacher would not comment on the sum stolen but said it was “quite a substantial amount”.

The full story in the Cairns Post click symbol:

Support Your Local Police 

WE WON'T COP IT: Images from the Queensland Police Union

THE Queensland Police Union will today launch the first phase of a hard-hitting advertising campaign for a better pay rise for police, attacking the "insulting" 2.5 per cent offered by the State Government.

Union president Ian Leavers says police, who are regularly attacked and spat on, won't cop the low pay increase, while other public servants receive a 4.5 pay rise this year and 8 per cent over two years.

"This is a slap in the face for all decent hard-working police who risk their lives daily keeping Queenslanders safe," Mr Leavers said.

He said the Bligh Government had now failed to deliver a new police enterprise bargaining agreement, with the current agreement having expired on June 30.

The union now will sit down with Premier Anna Bligh begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting on July 30 to thrash out a better deal for more than 10,000 police officers.

In the television and radio ads, which highlight the often difficult and stressful job of police, Mr Leavers says officers see the worst of human behavior on a daily basis.

In another ad, Mr Leavers says police are spat on, bashed, at times shot at and become the victims of crime.

Last year, teachers, nurses and firefighters reached enterprise bargaining agreements with the State Government, accepting pay increases of 12.5 per cent over three years, starting with 4.5 per cent this year.

The wage deal also applied to Crime and Misconduct Commission staff, Mr Leavers said.

"It shows the double standard, when CMC staff get the 4.5 per cent wage increase, yet the Government only offers police 2.5 per cent."

The ad campaign comes as union lawyers have gone to court to try to stop Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson having to decide on CMC recommended disciplinary action against police involved in the Palm Island death-in-custody investigation.

"I fully support other public servants getting their pay rise of 4.5 per cent, yet it's odd the Bligh Government gave them their pay rise when the biggest threat they'll ever face is a paper cut," Mr Leavers said.

He said the 2.5 per cent a year increase for three years for police was even below the cost of living.

Recent police figures show 50 officers a week are being spat on, punched, kicked and assaulted with more than 2700 officers assaulted across Queensland last year.

On Friday, a teenage girl was jailed for repeatedly spitting on an officer and yesterday a man, 18, was charged with serious assault for spitting at a city officer.

Mr Leavers said: "When you get spat on by an offender, who very well could have been using drugs, you need to get a disease test order to make sure you're not infected.

"How do you explain to your three-year-old child that you can't show them affection, you can't give them a kiss because you might have hepatitis or HIV?"

THE Queensland Police Union yesterday launched its television and radio campaign for a better wage deal after the Bligh Government offered an "insulting" 2.5 per cent rise per year for the next three years.

Police Union president Ian Leavers said other public servants were given a 4.5 per cent pay rise in 2009, with a further 4 per cent pay rise in the two years after that.

Police Minister Neil Roberts said the offer was "reasonable" when considered in the context of the tough economic climate.

"It's a government wages policy made over the difficult economic times," Mr Roberts said. "We're still facing significant economic pressures."

Ms Bligh said she wanted to see police get a fair rise but that it had to be "one the Queensland taxpayers could afford".

Opposition Leader John Paul Langbroek said Queensland police shouldn't suffer because of the Government's economic mismanagement.

Hey Madam Premier, don't worry about budgeting for new recruits I'll do the patrolling - Police intake cut by 50%.

TROUBLEMAKERS will be banned from hotels and blacklisted during a clampdown to be trialled in the Cairns CBD.

The plan, which is being proposed by a group of venue operators, comes after similar crackdowns were adopted at Tully and towns on the Tableland.

The Cairns campaign is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol-fuelled offences reported in the CBD.

Under the plan, to be trialled in August, a patron banned from one venue could be blacklisted from all pubs and clubs for the set time.

About eight venues would be involved in the trial, which has not been given a time frame.

Police and venue owners will meet this month to vote on the proposal.

If the trial is successful, the ban could apply to offending patrons in all venues in the wider Cairns area.

The project, which is a first for the city, has gained the backing of police and most venue operators.

Most bans would be between three and six months and the decision would be made by a sub-committee of the Cairns Liquor Accord.

Problem patrons who try to sneak into venues they have been banned from would face trespass charges.

Cairns City Licensees Safety Association president Paul Garnham said the details of banned patrons would be shared at liquor accord meetings.

“We may collect data through CCTV footage and collect a picture of the person and their names and addresses and we’ll be able to share that through the accord,” he said.

The Woolshed managing-director Dominic Davies hoped the idea would rehabilitate trouble drunks.

“It’s not a punishment; it’s about rehabilitating people and making them less likely to repeat offend and about making the CBD a safer environment than it is,” he said.

Cairns police district Insp Russell Rhodes said authorities had been working with their counterparts at Tully and licensees to replicate their system.

Velvet Underground owner Reno Nicastro praised the plan.

“If they stuff up at one place, they’re going to stuff up somewhere else,” he said.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A CAIRNS police officer has been awarded $15,000 in compensation after a woman who claimed to have syphilis spat in his mouth.

The constable, who is married, was forced to wait six months before medical tests cleared him of the communicable disease.

On February 3, 2007, Virginia Thelma Namie was sentenced in Cairns District Court to six months' jail for the attack.

Namie, who was 37 at the time of sentencing, spat at the officer when he tried to restrain her after she was refused entry to a hotel.

In Cairns District Court earlier this month, Justice Bill Everson awarded the police officer $15,000 for the psychological effects of the offence. Justice Everson said the officer feared he would pass the disease on to his wife.

"He had to wait six months until he was cleared of any communicable disease," he said.

Queensland Police Union general president, Ian Leavers, said any form of compensation was a positive move.

"It is good that a police officer is being compensated for going through the trauma of disease testing," he said.

"It still doesn't replace the mental and physical anguish they go through, but it's something."

Mr Leavers said the ordeal of communicative disease testing was tough on police officers' loved ones as well.

"Police are humans too, they have families," he said.

"It's a hell of a lot of strain.

"Their immediate family suffers … it can destroy relationships."

Mr Leavers said other emergency services personnel were in the same boat, with spitting and assault offences becoming more prevalent.

"They'll (offenders) spit, and they’ll hit police and other emergency services personnel," he said.

"We're starting to see it a lot more.

"They (emergency services personnel) shouldn't pay the price for making the community a better place."

Friday, June 11, 2010

IT seemed innocent enough - three people in a mini-van asking for directions at a well-lit intersection at 8pm on Wednesday in the quiet rural community of Yungaburra.

Their sinister intentions quickly became apparent but the quick reflexes of a talented young boxer and a powerful right hook foiled an abduction attempt.

"It seems so innocent," 15-year-old Jackson said yesterday.

"They stopped and asked for directions and I walked up to the campervan to help. The sliding door opened fast and I spun around to see what was happening.

"Then this bloke grabbed me by the collar and tried to drag me into the van. He was really trying to drag me in but I pulled back with all my weight and then I hit him in the left ear."

A shaken but relieved 186cm and 78kg Jackson yesterday told The Cairns Post he was convinced his boxing skills saved him while he made the 600m journey from boxing training to his home.

It only took one punch from the two-time Australian junior champion and two-time Queensland champion to send the alleged abductors fleeing up Maple St from the scene.

"I was more surprised than scared," he said

Relieved: Yungaburra teenager Jackson fought off an abduction attempt by punching his attacker in the ear

Thursday, June 10, 2010

On alert: At least 30 businesses have been hit by a counterfeit cash racket operating in Cairns

AT least 30 businesses have been hit by a counterfeit cash racket operating in Cairns.

Fake $50 and $100 notes have been handed over to traders in the past three months amid fears hundreds or even thousands of the bogus notes could be circulating in the region.

Police are investigating the copycat trade.

And as part of an awareness campaign, authorities will give businesses a pamphlet with a list of things to look for when given suspicious money.

Fuel stations, supermarkets, licensed venues and fast food outlets have been the primary target for cash cheats.

District crime prevention officer Acting Sgt Russell Parker said 10 police stations in the Cairns district would be given the pamphlets which authorities began handing out yesterday.

"We prepared the flyers to hand out to businesses with a few things about picking out bogus notes and our contact details to report any bogus notes coming into their possession," he said.

"People who are handed a counterfeit note and don't know that it's bogus, are not committing an offence.

"It's only an offence if you give a counterfeit note to someone knowing that it is fake."

In April, four businesses accidentally accepted fake notes, while in May, 17 traders were given fake cash.

So far this month nine shops have been stung with fake money. A fake $50 note was used at Gloria Jean's coffee store on the Esplanade last week.

Store manager Anyse Austrums said businesses should scrutinise all $50 and $100 notes in an effort to catch the offenders.

"The more of us that scrutinise the notes, it has got to make it harder for them and bring it to a close," she said.

"Even if the person you receive it from isn't the criminal, you can still narrow it down."

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Doing their job: Constables Katelyn Maroske and Warren Ryan patrol the city's streets yesterday. Concerns have been raised over police safety

THE Far North is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for police with six officers being  
assaulted in nine days.

A female constable and a watch- house officer were the latest to be attacked.

Police charged an Edmonton man after he allegedly pushed the female officer in the chest then elbowed her in the face after she attempted to calm him down during a disturbance at Parramatta Park.

The man was arrested then taken to the Cairns watch-house early yesterday morning when another officer was allegedly assaulted. He was charged with serious assault and assault police and will face Cairns Magistrates’ Court on June 18.

A 16-year-old Hope Vale girl allegedly punched a female senior constable in the face at Cooktown on Monday.

Police say the teen threatened to hit the officer with a two litre soft drink bottle but ended up punching her.

She will be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Police Minister Neil Roberts said any assault on an officer was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

"The State Government has substantially increased the penalty which can be imposed by the courts when someone is convicted to a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment," Mr Roberts said.

"Whereas the rate of reported assaults on police has decreased slightly in recent years, one assault is one too many."

Nine officers were attacked in the Far North in April.

But Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said the Bligh Government was not doing enough to protect police officers.

"These are frontline officers who have to put up with druggies, drunks and violent persons and no police officer has to be assaulted just for doing their job," Mr Leavers said.

"If you are going to flog a copper they need to do the time.

"It’s all well and good the Bligh Government is pouring money into covert vehicles and putting up traffic fines but it’s no correlation to protecting our officers."

Recently, the union called on the service to protect officers from bites, knife slashings and dirty needle jabs.

It is believed the Queensland Police Service has its eyes on Turtleskin gloves, a popular brand used in law enforcement in the US.

They are made from woven Aramid, a material used in some bullet-proof vests.

Police have charged a 44-year-old Edmonton man after he allegedly assaulted a police officer at Parramatta Park last night. Around 11.50 police attended a residence in Terminus Street in relation to a disturbance. The man appeared agitated and police were attempting to calm him down when he allegedly pushed an officer in the chest then elbowed the officer in the face. The man was arrested and taken to the Cairns watchhouse where he then allegedly assaulted a watchhouse officer. He was charged with serious assault and assault police. He is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 18.

A 16-year-old Hope Vale girl has been charged following an alleged assault on a police officer. Police were attempting to arrest the girl for another matter when she allegedly threatened to hit an officer with a two litre drink bottle, the girl then allegedly punched an officer in the face. The girl was charged with two counts of assault or obstruct police and contravening a direction or requirement, she will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act.

Watch this Current Affair video

Click on symbol:

There have been some changes to this website and hopefully the changes will make it more user friendly.

The site now has drop-down menus which easier acces to a number of pages, the site has gone Australia wide and each state crime information is available under crime 2010.

I have chosen to go this way because of the increase of crime throughout Australia and if we work together we can achieve our goals of becoming a safer country where our families can experience the family walks, not being afraid of assults or house invasions.

At the same time we must be realisic that we cannot get rid of all crime but a reduction is better than nothing.

Also I have said since I founded Residents Against Crimes that police are there to protect us and we must in turn try and protect them as assults on police have increased and this needs to be stamped out NOW.

Please become a member, it costs nothing but with a large membership we will have the numbers to put pressure on all state governments to act accordingly.

A quarterly newsletter is also emailed out with news from police, politicians and whats happening within the judicial system.

May 10, 2010

POLICE are doing overtime in an effort to stamp out youth violence in the notorious "M" suburbs of Cairns.

Dawn patrols of Mooroobool, Manunda and Manoora were launched this weekend under a special operation crafted to clean up the trouble-plagued areas.

Squads of police bolstered by an additional 12 officers have been sifting through the sites looking for youth gangs up until 6am.

Is youth crime a problem in Cairns? Vote in our poll.

The operation, revealed by The Weekend Post on Saturday, is also seeing police log an extra two hours on top of their normal eight-hour shifts.

While the operation’s success will not be known until police analyse crime and incident reports today, it can be revealed the CBD could be the next target under the plan.

Extra police did not stop a 35-year-old man being gang-bashed and robbed on Saturday night at Manoora. The man was walking along Miles St when he was attacked by three young men, described as Aboriginal in appearance.

Police allege the group repeatedly kicked and punched the man in the face and head before stealing his wallet and fleeing about 11.20pm.

The man was taken to Cairns Base Hospital with a fractured cheek bone, bruising, swelling and scrapes to his face.

Meanwhile, two young men will face Cairns Magistrates' Court after they allegedly robbed a Brinsmead bottle shop and beat the attendant with a metal bar on Friday.

The men, 17 and 19 and both from Gordonvale, allegedly stole bottles of alcohol before a 21-year-old man working at the store sustained cuts to his arms after being hit twice with the bar.

Police said the attendant chased the two men outside the shop, before he was allegedly attacked

Admin says: click here

Police wanted to take a proactive approach and ensure juveniles were placed in diversionary programsandlearnfrom their mistakes.

Youths also use the thick scrub at Chinaman Creek between Mooroobool and Earlville to evade police.

Qld sex offenders ignore release orders

More than a third of sex offenders released into the community in Queensland have breached their release conditions in the past two years.

Of the 700 offenders, at least 70 have vanished, some for months.

Some of those breaching their conditions were subsequently caught in sickening sexual acts involving children as young as four.

Offences included rape, attempted murder, molestation, indecent exposure, stalking and assaults, the Courier Mail reports.

Others offenders have escaped authorities by changing address and tampering with electronic monitoring bracelets so police could not track them.

Of the 236 offenders caught breaching supervision orders, 163 faced further conviction, suspension of parole, jail or court action, while the rest received a warning or a censure.

Police and Corrective Services Minister Neil Roberts admitted supervision order contraventions had increased, but said little could be done.

"I'm not making excuses here - short of actually shackling people in a prison cell 24 hours a day, seven days a week, we'll never get rid of people reoffending," Mr Roberts told the newspaper.

5th May 2010

John-Paul Langbroek MP

Leader of the Opposition

Leader of the LNP

Shadow Minister for the Arts

Member for Surfers Paradise

30 April 2010

Police Minister Neil Roberts has admitted to slashing Police recruit intake numbers in the first half of 2010.

LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek said the Police Minister had finally fessed-up to  slashing by half the number of recruits going into the Police Academy.

“His figures speak for themselves … Queensland will only get an additional 436 new Police recruits this year compared with 850 last year,” Mr Langbroek said.

Mr Langbroek said the Minister’s own words told the story:

‘As a result of lower than anticipated separations, the QPS has reduced both the March and June 2010 recruit intakes from 88 to 44 police recruits.’.

“These are the Minister’s own words …but with population growth across Queensland, stopping recruitment because of a better than expected retention rate for one year is hardly reason to cut Police intake numbers,” Mr Langbroek said.

Media contact – Ross Eastgate 0400 766 350

John-Paul Langbroek MP

Leader of the Opposition

Leader of the LNP

Shadow Minister for the Arts

Member for Surfers Paradise

30 April 2010

Police recruits down almost half

THE Bligh Government has slashed Police recruitment by nearly half on last year, the State Opposition said today.

Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek said frontline Police were openly critical that recruiting was down nearly half on 2009 and frontline community protection was not sustainable.

“It seems Labor’s penny-pinching has reached new lows and is impacting on the recruitment of new Police,” Mr Langbroek said.

Just last month the LNP revealed stations right across regional Queensland were dangerously under-staffed.

“It seems things will only get worse … the Police Minister needs to come clean on what’s happening.”

Mr Langbroek said in 2007/08, 899 recruits entered the Police Academy with 850 in 2008/09.

“We need to hear from the Minister what the real numbers are for this current year, and what they’ll be for the coming year.

 “The LNP made a firm commitment at the last election to provide 1000 extra Police, while Labor said it would only deliver 600.

“With recruit numbers being slashed by almost 50 per cent in one year, it looks like another Labor election lie has been exposed.”

Mr Langbroek said sources close to the Police Academy said many applications had been rejected because of intake cancellations.

Media contact – Ross Eastgate 0400 766 350

The budget for Professional Standards and Ethical Practice, which has blown out from $151 million to $260 million in the past five years, now accounts for nearly one-fifth of the entire police budget.

In contrast, the service spent less than $1 million on 27 undercover operations last year.

The ballooning ethical standards budget comes as the QPS battles rising complaints about police conduct.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers said a "ridiculous amount of time" was being spent investigating police in Queensland.

"The QPS is now more interested in navel-gazing and accountability overkill than the core business of catching crooks," he said.

The ethical standards budget represents 17 per cent of the total QPS budget – not far behind traffic operations which command about 20 per cent of overall expenditure. A total of $5 million has been budgeted for phone intercepts this year, the Taser rollout will cost $14 million, and $1.5 million was set aside for Operation Merit in Fortitude Valley which targeted alcohol-fuelled violence.

Last year 2760 complaints were lodged about the conduct of Queensland's 10,200 police, up from 2267 the previous year and 2104 the year before that. Of those complaints, the Ethical Standards Command is investigating close to 200 matters, some of which have dragged on for several years.

Almost 30 police are now suspended or have been stood down while their alleged indiscretions are examined, including five officers who stripped naked and ran through traffic during a bucks party last September and who now await disciplinary action.

Professional Standards and Ethical Practice has been identified as the top priority for the QPS in the 2010-11 operational plan – replacing the prevention and detection of crime.

Australian Council of Civil Liberties president Terry O'Gorman questioned how effectively the large budget was being used given the "unacceptable delays" in investigations.

"While there are some conscientious and competent police in the Ethical Standards Command, the model is broken as evidenced by the fact the Palm Island (death in custody) complaint is five years-plus," Mr O'Gorman said.

"They still can't complete an investigation on the simple premise that (Sgt Chris Hurley) was investigated by his mates."

He said the QPS needed to return to the immediate post-Fitzgerald report model of complaints against police being investigated independently.

Mr Leavers said officers were unable to give their best to their community when they were stood down.

"It is the community that suffers when police officers are unable to perform normal duties whilst under investigation," he said.

Chief researcher with the Centre for Excellence in Policing at Griffith University Tim Prenzler said only 3 per cent of matters involving police were investigated by the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

"It's not really enough for an agency that claims to be an independent corruption body."

Drugs haul: Sen-Constable Cassandra Hill and Detective Sen-Constable Barry Karamujic inspect the bags of cannabis seized during a raid on a Miallo property

A COUPLE aged in their 60s with "extensive horticultural knowledge" have allegedly put their green thumbs to a more sinister use.

A total of 1143 cannabis plants from seedlings to 50cm in height were seized from a property at Miallo, north of Mossman, during a day-long raid on Sunday.

Mossman police Sen-Constable Barry Karamujic said the haul also included chemicals and lights, worth about $1000 each, and three hydroponic set ups, one of which was not currently in use.

"It was quite a well set up system and the plants were at different stages of growth," he said.

"It was good to get them at the stage they were at."

Police said the alleged growers seemed to be "well versed in horticulture" with evidence the pair were experimenting with different strains of cannabis.

Four Clip Seal bags of seeds were also found, which were broken up into two different types, along with a mixed strain.

Plants were allegedly split up in hydroponic rooms within the dwelling, with a significant number of plants also found growing outside.

Sheds and a shipping container were also allegedly used in the operation.

Sen- Constable Karamujic said he could not comment on how extensive the operation may be, but said no money and only 200g of dried cannabis was found on the property.

The detectives are satisfied with the raid which will result in a significant amount of drugs being taken off the streets," he said.

A 64-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man were charged with various drugs offences on Sunday night and will appear in Mossman Magistrates' Court on May 19

To view and listen to the speakers from the Residents Against Crimes meeting on Thursday April 22, 2010 please click on the link below.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Dog of a job: Sen-Constable David Raymond and his dog, Vader, patrol the area around Cairns State High School yesterday.

EXTRA police patrols with tracker dogs will crack down on school break-ins and vandalism.

Operation Tangent was launched last week after a spate of attacks on Far Northern schools outside class hours.

The blitz means police with tracking and sniffer dogs will almost double their hours at the schools.

Dog squad Sen-Constable David Raymond is heading the crackdown and on Monday launched a weekly news bulletin given to all private and state schools alerting them to incidents and offences.

Four policemen and four german shepherds share a seven-day roster of about 46 schools, day-care centres and TAFE in the Cairns district.

"Schools seem to be getting targeted a bit more with break-and-enters so we're just trying to get on top of that," Constable Raymond said.

"We're trying to send a message that if you haven’t got permission to be in a school outside school hours, then you have to go."

During patrols of 68 schools last weekend, 18 people found in school grounds were cautioned.

Those found in schools are normally cautioned with their name checked on police records. They can be arrested for trespass and if they're found reoffending, enforcement action can be taken.

Constable Raymond said offenders are usually students and the homeless.

The blitz comes amid a string of crimes at local schools.

Last weekend, vandals wrote obscene words on buildings at Parramatta Primary School and on Sunday night Bentley Park College Primary School was broken into.

About 10.55pm offenders broke into a demountable classroom and rummaged through draws. Nothing was stolen.

Over Easter, seven schools were broken into, with vandals smashing windows, tearing up ovals and damaging property.

Since the crackdown, two people wanted by police were arrested on school grounds.

So far this year, there have been five claims, totalling $2056, for schools across the Far North to replace items such as books and computers.

In 2009, there were 47 claims totalling $90,378 and 174 jobs to fix damaged buildings.

The "School Watch" hotline is available for people to call 24 hours a day on 131 788

A 20-year-old man has suffered deep cuts during a sword attack in a Cairns park, police say.

They allege a 37-year-old man entered the park in Mooroobool and slashed his victim with a sword, about 9pm (AEST) on Saturday, inflicting deep wounds to a hand and a forearm before he was disarmed.

He is due to face Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday charged with grievous bodily harm.

Click on photo to view video 

A DRUNKEN bloody fight that broke out on a suburban bus on the Bruce Highway south of Cairns has been dubbed the "ride from hell" by two school girls.

Tramar O’Shea, 12, and Halona Blanch, 13, say they watched two men fighting on board a southbound Sunbus on Sunday.

The two Edmonton girls, friends since they were in grade one, spoke to The Cairns Post yesterday of their terrifying bus ride.

The pair, who were travelling with another friend, had just finished a shopping trip to Cairns Central when they boarded the bus after 3.30pm.

As the bus approached the traffic lights at the Sheehy Rd turn-off, near Trinity Anglican School, the fight started.

Tramar said she heard a drunk man say, "You wanna go?" to another passenger.

"He just kept throwing his fist at him. He was getting punched with blood running from his nose," Tramar said.

Halona said one of the men landed on top of their friend and they continued to throw punches at each other.

"She was scared. She was upset," she said.

Halona said she heard a woman, who was holding a baby in her arms, shout for the men to stop.

As the bus stopped at the red traffic lights at White Rock, Tramar jumped off.

Those involved in the fight were believed to have been picked up at a bus stop at Westcourt.

Cairns district duty officer Sen-Sgt Michael Bishop said Edmonton police were called to the incident and investigations were continuing.

"All parties involved are yet to make a complaint," Sen-Sgt Bishop said.

"Police are also yet to obtain footage from the bus company."

Sunbus refused to comment about the incident.

Tramar’s mother Tracey O’Shea said this year was the first time she had allowed her daughter to use public transport with her friends.

"I was absolutely ropeable when I found out," she said.

"Tramar got home and walked into my bedroom and burst into tears saying, ‘I’m never going on the bus again’.

"There was two bus drivers on board, one of them was learning, and you’d think between the two of them they’d stop it before it got out of hand like that."

Ms O’Shea said she had called the bus company to complain yesterday but no one was available to take her call.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

THREE youths ran from police after they crashed a stolen car into the front of a corner shop in Cairns last night.

Passers-by called police after 8.15pm to the corner of Hoare and English streets at Manunda when the dangerous joyride ended.

Wet conditions hampered a search by the police dog.

Cairns district duty officer Sen-Sgt Michael Bishop said witness reports of the youths’ identities were sketchy and there were no leads.

"The car has been confirmed stolen from a Woree address," Sen-Sgt Bishop said.

"Witness reports suggest that passers-by heard the car driving at quite a speed, it clipped a parked car and then subsequently clipped one of the support beams at a general store."

Firefighters used supports to temporarily stabilise the awning.

Anyone with information about the three youths should call Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

TWO alleged police attackers continued kicking and punching an unconscious officer even after his partner pulled a gun on them, the Innisfail Magistrate's Court heard yesterday.

Twenty police officers filed into Innisfail Magistrate's Court yesterday for the three alleged attackers' first court appearance and bail applications, five of them as police guards.

Sophie Kathleen Oui, 17, of Innisfail, has been charged with two serious assaults of a police officer and one count of causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer.

Ian Billo George Bounghi, 18, of Innisfail, faces a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer and William Norris Bounghi, 21, of Townsville, faces two charges of serious assault on a police officer.

The court heard the two constables responded to a 000 call to help a female, but she was one of three people who turned on Constable Ah Shay when he tried to stop a man from "continuing his action against her".

"Constable Ah Shay put his hand up … (and then) William Bounghi assaulted Constable Ah Shay," Sgt Self said. "Constable Ah Shay attempted to arrest him and ended up in a struggle on the ground."

Sgt Self said William Bounghi managed to break free and hid in bushes with handcuffs still attached to one of his hands, and then his brother Ian Bounghi "shoulder-barged" Constable Ah Shay, knocking him to the ground and rendering him unconscious.

"It was taken as an opportunity to start kicking Constable Ah Shay in the face and body," Sgt Self said.

He said Constable Shanco pulled his gun after unsuccessfully trying to move Ian Bounghi and Ms Oui away from his unconscious colleague.

"They continued to move in, kick and punch, and at one point Sophie Oui lay across Constable Ah Shay and continued punching," Sgt Self said of the pair's actions before Constable Shanco drew his firearm.

Magistrate Janelle Brassington refused the Bounghi brothers bail but granted bail to Ms Oui on the condition she live with her aunt at Wangan, had a night time curfew and did not drink alcohol.

No pleas were entered. The trio is due to face court again on May 10.

Monday, March 22, 2010

A 73-year-old woman was sexually assaulted while she slept in her White Rock home early on Saturday morning.

Police are hunting for the attacker after the woman told officers she woke to find a man rubbing her leg through an unlocked window about 5am.

The offender ran away after the woman woke up and called 000.

DNA swabs have been sent to Brisbane for analysis while a doorknock in the neighbourhood yielded no leads for
police.

Cairns police Sen-Sgt Dion Readman said the woman lives alone and was shaken after the ordeal.

"Police investigations surround allegations the offender touched the complainant while she slept," he said.

"If anyone has information regarding the incident we would urge them to call police or Crime Stoppers."

Sen-Sgt Readman said the incident highlighted the importance of locking windows and doors.

The woman could not say how old the attacker was, but told police he was Caucasian, bald, 170cm tall with a solid build and wearing grey board shorts and a green jumper.

Authorities said the woman turned down counselling or medical support after the
incident.

"She’s a healthy and switched on woman who has, unfortunately, been the victim of a crime," Sen-Sgt Readman said.

Neighbourhood Watch’s Thelma Spelta said attacks on the elderly were disgraceful.

"Elderly people help formed the society in Cairns in the earlier days and for them to be treated like this in retirement is a disgrace," she said.

Investigations were continuing

Under attack: A popular Innisfail police officer was knocked unconscious trying to stop a man from assaulting a 17-year-old girl in a residential street

Here we go again, another police officer assulted, when will Anna Bligh, Cameron Dick or Neil Roberts come to Cairns for a public meeting or is South East Queensland more important than Cairns?

A POPULAR Innisfail police officer was knocked unconscious trying to stop a man from assaulting a 17-year-old girl in a residential street.

Tourists bashed

TWO brothers were bashed by a group of youths outside the Grafton St cinemas about 9.15pm yesterday. The brothers, thought to be backpackers from the UK aged in their 20s, told police a group of about 40 youths were involved in the attack, in which they were punched in the head. One was taken to hospital with facial injuries. A witness told The Cairns Post that several members of the group ran past and abused the victims, while others hit them from behind.

Alarm at violence as mobs roam CBD on Thursdays

POLICE will crack down on mobs of up to 50 teenage thugs roaming the CBD on Thursday nights.

More than 300 people attended 4BC's Your Right to Feel Safe forum where community leaders spoke on issues of policing, justice and sentencing.

But when Mr Dick told the crowd that research showed 94 percent of Queenslanders felt safe in their own homes he was screamed down.

Audiences members yelled at him to get off the podium and to "stop patronising us" and that he was a "joke".

They also called for zero tolerance on crime.

During the forum, one man was ejected for storming the podium and a woman was walking around wearing a sandwich board  opposing bullying.

Click Here: Read what they say

The survey is being conducted on the Queensland Police Union's new password-protected website – away from the prying eyes of anyone who is not a paid-up member.

It follows a series of clashes between the QPU and the Commissioner in the past 12 months over a wide range of issues, from the increased use of speed cameras and a tough new drink-driving policy for police, to DNA testing of officers and harsh disciplinary measures.

Mr Atkinson's publicly-stated concerns about officers' use of force in Fortitude Valley and Surfers Paradise has also triggered a wave of discontent among police who claim the Commissioner is becoming out of touch.

QPU president Ian Leavers defended the poll, saying it was more about the government's decision than Mr Atkinson's competence.

"It is important that we properly understand the views of our membership and running website polls assists in that process."

Mr Atkinson remains adamant he has the support of the vast majority of police and said he would walk away if he thought he did not.

The locked website is not the only change implemented by Mr Leavers in his first year of leading the powerful police union.

He has also overseen a cultural shift within the union to support those police who give evidence against fellow officers accused of wrongdoing.

"In the past if police were making a complaint (against another officer) they didn't come to the union," Mr Leavers said.

"Now 30 to 40 per cent of complaints that go to the Crime and Misconduct Commission or the Ethical Standards Command are made by police and that is a big change from 20 years ago. We have to support police when they make complaints and go through the process."

He realised the need to back the whistleblowers during last year's committal hearing for former Airlie Beach officer Benjamin Price, who is accused of bashing three people.

Although the union is financing Price's defence, Mr Leavers said he was aware of the hardship facing those giving evidence against him.

"Sometimes they felt the support was only for the person before the courts," Mr Leavers said. "I do take the view that everyone . . . is innocent until proven otherwise (but) it's very difficult for police who have to give evidence."

THE Queensland Police Minister and the state’s top cop might have had a trouble-free night on the beat on Saturday, but alcohol-related crime and violence is rife in Cairns, the Residents Against Crime says.

Minister Neil Roberts and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson spent 90 minutes walking the Cairns CBD from 10.30pm on Saturday speaking to police on the beat, licensees and the public to get a feel for the problems facing Cairns. They witnessed no trouble. But Residents Against Crime president Barry Neall said violence and crime remained a serious issue.

He said more police were needed and hardline sentencing had to be introduced to back police up.

“These guys walk around, and Bob Atkinson is usually in a uniform, and people just disappear,” he said.

“They must have their heads in the sand if they think nothing is wrong because they didn’t see anything in an hour and a half.”

Mr Neall said Cairns already held the title of the assault capital of Queensland and it was also fast gaining the mantle of drug capital of the state.

“They are just pushing this matter aside but the Government needs to accept that police numbers are not adequate and the courts need tougher sentencing laws.

“Right now, they are so weak that the offenders walk out the front door (of the court house) behind the police.”

Mr Atkinson said at times, Cairns has similar alcohol-related issues to other communities, but it is generally a safe and positive environment.

“Police continue to monitor these issues and work with the community and industry to address any areas of concern,” he said.

“Last night’s visit highlighted the value of the CCTV network in the CBD and the council’s support in this area is acknowledged.”

Mr Roberts said the walk was an opportunity to see the local CBD and witness first-hand the challenges facing police.

He said he saw no evidence of bad behaviour, while admitting he was not out during the problem period of 2am and onwards, but saw plenty of evidence of police, the Cairns City Council and local business working together.

Hoodlum vigilantes

At a coronial review of the police pursuit policy this week, Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson revealed his plan to use unmanned surveillance aircraft to identify rogue vehicles.

He said the aircraft would be small enough to hover unseen, only 200m above the road, and could "lock on to cars" that were being driven irresponsibly.

"Technology is moving at a breathtaking pace," Mr Atkinson told the hearing.

He said the aircraft could send images back to police on the ground and were able to be remotely controlled.

"They can operate 24/7 and have recording capabilities. There's a whole range of reasons why that could be the best way to go," he said.

"This is one of the proposals we want to progress."

Unmanned aerial vehicles are already being used by the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan to provide real-time information about terrain and activities in different areas.

The Australian Federal Police are also believed to be trialling the technology for counter-terrorism purposes.

Mr Atkinson conceded any "big brother" concerns would need to be addressed before such technology could be used by Queensland police.

State Coroner Michael Barnes is expected to deliver his findings from the review of the police pursuit policy in the new year.

Changes to the policy at the start of last year excluded police from chasing vehicles for traffic offences and imposed strict criteria on the continuation of pursuits.

Inspector Tony Fleming told the hearing he would be opposed to any "prescriptive" changes - such as introducing a speed limit on pursuits or making school zones off-limits.

"Each case needs to be assessed on its merits," said Insp Fleming, who wrote the policy. "To say absolutely never, ever has a risk attached to it."

The hearing was told an attitudinal survey of police found more than half (59 per cent) wanted a "less restrictive policy in place".

Insp Fleming was also asked about a breakdown of police pursuits in 2008, which found 24 per cent ended in crashes and the same number were non-compliant with the policy.

"Frankly, they just got it wrong," he said.

 Admin says:  

CAIRNS has become one of Queensland's most dangerous cities for women, with a rate of rapes in the region more than double the state average.

Just one sexual assault counsellor and four part-time forensic nurses in Cairns case-manage an average of one new rape victim every week.

Police statistics reveal there were 87 rapes or attempted rapes for every 100,000 people in the region in the 2007/08 financial year, up by 20 per cent on the previous year and more than double the state average of 43 for every 100,000 people.

The average in Brisbane is less than 33 cases for every 100,000 people.

Police say the victims span the spectrum of society, from attacks on the elderly in their own homes to tourists walking back to their hotels late at night.

While attacks on tourists by strangers often receive the most publicity because the victims are more likely to report them to police, the majority of attackers are known to their victims, and include bosses, neighbours, friends and former boyfriends. Authorities predict up to 70 per cent of all rapes go unreported.

With the number of sex attacks escalating each year, counsellors say the focus must shift from crisis management to education and prevention.

Cairns Sexual Assault Service co-ordinator Clare Oppy fears young people are growing up without the skills to negotiate sexual situations.

She says boys need to be taught to respect women and learn skills to recognise the meaning of consent before they reach adulthood, when it is often too late to change entrenched sexist attitudes.

"Girls might say something like 'I've got a boyfriend' or 'You're not my type' but to a boy that could still mean she's consenting because she didn't say or scream out the word no," she said.

"The school curriculum is so full of academic subjects that a topic like healthy sexual relationships and how you navigate those complex situations just aren't on the agenda.

"We need our teachers and parents and creche workers to have an ongoing conversation with kids about what a healthy relationship is, what consent is and how to handle and recognise certain situations."

Regional Crime co-ordinator Inspector John Hartwell, who has worked on rape cases in the far north over 15 years, agrees sex education is vital to combating the high rate of offences in the region.

He works with a team of about 20 detectives in Cairns and described rape cases as the most difficult crime to investigate because of the emotional impact on victims.

"We would strongly support any proactive and preventative strategies," he said.

Have your say: click here

Read the story click the badge:

To read submissions and replies from the Government Ministers click the photo -

Teach your children that the police are friendly people and that they can approach them if they feel endangered.

Kids love Police, Ambulance and Fire vehicles so please encourage them to look upon the police as their friends.

Cairns is normally a very friendly city however like most other cities we do have crime where some visitors have been attacked and handbags, mobile phones and money have been stolen.

 HELP KEEP CAIRNS SAFE

Please read the following to maintain your personal security

Avoid walking or riding alone

Walk in well lit & busy areas

Avoid dark parks, vacant land & alleys

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings

Know where 24 hour police stations, service stations & stores are

Carry a torch at night & ride with a bike light

Scream if you are in trouble

When using Auto Teller Machines ensure you are not being

watched

Avoid carrying large amounts of money

Keep money in your pocket and not in your handbag

Keep your purse or handbag under your arm & in front of your

body so it cannot be easily snatched

Contact the Police immediately if you have be robbed or assaulted

Rules to remember:

(1). Beware of groups of young people as they may cause problems.

(2). In night clubs do not accept drinks from someone you don't know.

(3). Do not accept a lift from someone you don't know.