‘Radical’ new plan would see support programs mandated for Carnarvon youth to tackle crime

Carnarvon children arrested by police could bypass the court system under a “radical” new community-led intervention plan to address rampant youth crime. At time of print Shire of Carnarvon councillors were voting on a proposal to make the Gascoyne town the location of a two-year intensive family and community intervention pilot project. The plan was developed during crisis meetings where community leaders, government agencies and Shire representatives discussed possible approaches to tackling the root causes of youth crime and anti-social behaviour. According to the proposal brief, there are about 15 known at-risk youth who continue to be linked to criminal offending in public and residential spaces around Carnarvon. These young people have been directly connected to between 20 and 30 households with families in crisis. Under the Department of Communities-led plan, disengaged youths who repeatedly come to the attention of police will be assessed for the scheme. Instead of bringing formal charges against those deemed suitable for the program, the courts would instead mandate intervention and support programs. It is understood youths who are accused of offending too serious for the intervention program will be charged and brought before the court. The proposal brief states Carnarvon has been “under siege by a rapid rise in youth crime”, with authorities concerned locals may start taking justice into their own hands. “Many residents, especially vulnerable people, and businesses in the community are exhausted, frustrated and fed up with the lack of law and order, intervention, accountability and justice,” the proposal said. “Vigilante retaliation poses a real and imminent threat in Carnarvon as tension, unrest and discord builds towards breaking point across the community.” The brief acknowledges the plan “may be condemned for being too radical”, but Shire president Eddie Smith said traditional deterrents to criminal behaviour were not working. “It’s clear that we need to take a different approach to addressing crime and social disorder,” he said. “We need to better support families in crisis and curb youth crime and antisocial behaviour, and this is a decisive step that has the support of community leaders.” The proposal brief states the plan will support families in crisis to “increase their capacity to overcome the impacts of social disadvantage”, which will in turn lead to a reduction of youth crime. “The concept of the intensive family and community intervention is based on a family-centred, strength-based approach that aims to nurture and support a process of healing and recovery, strengthen capacity and self-determination of individuals and families, and foster long-term social impact and change across the whole community,” the brief says. Agencies including WA Police, Housing Authority WA, Department of Health, Department of Justice and the Department of Education would support the roll-out of the program. If the proposal is not supported, the Shire will continue to work with State and Federal governments to explore other solutions to growing youth crime.