Rodney Stevens
Despite more than 250 Lower Clarence residents expressing their interest to attend a community crime meeting at the Bowlo Yamba, about 50 people enjoyed an interesting and very informative meeting on Sunday.
The Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba provided their auditorium free of charge as organisers, retired NSW Police officers Andre and Greg facilitated the meeting which saw Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson, Coffs Clarence Police District Commander, Superintendent Joanne Schultz, Clarence Valley Council Mayor, Ray Smith, and Councillor Cristie Yager in attendance.
Mr Williamson kicked off proceedings stating that he had a firm opinion on the current youth crime problem, and he completely backed the NSW Police and their efforts.
He credited Superintendent Schultz and her officers in the Coffs Clarence Police District for implementing a 24/7 roster to cover the entire Lower Clarence.
“This is not a policing issue, it’s a Magistrates and Courts issue,” he said.
To help address the escalating matter, Mr Williamson said he will be supporting one of his colleagues who will be introducing a motion to NSW Parliament this week concerning section 22c of the ‘bail act’.
“What we, as rural MPs will be moving, is a motion about the presumption of bail for repeat, serious offenders,” he said.
Mr Williamson said currently courts have ‘a fair bit of scope to grant bail’ but under the proposed amendments, for repeat serious offenders, presumption of bail would be removed.
He acknowledged NSW Police for announcing 60 extra officers attached to Operation Soteria last week, targeting repeat, serious offenders of youth crime, which includes the Coffs Clarence Police District.
In addition, Mr Williamson said a review of the ‘Doli incapax’ law, concerning the criminal responsibility of children, aged 10 to 14, was underway.
“That is a law in NSW that assumes that, if you are between the age of 10 and 14, you don’t know right from wrong,” he said.
“I’ve now formed the opinion that the onus of proof needs to be reversed, so instead of assuming that you don’t know right from wrong, the law should reflect that you need to prove that you don’t know right from wrong.”
Mr Williamson said a review of the Young Offenders Act was also being pursued.
“We want to make sure that the Young Offenders Act is fit for purpose in 2025,” he said.
Mayor Smith said Council plays a vital role in advocating on behalf of the community for issues including increased policing numbers, or a review of the justice system.
He said while Council can’t directly get involved with the police and the justice system, Council will be there to advocate on ratepayer’s behalf.
“What we will do and are continuing to keep doing, is support the services that provide alternative activities for our youth, to get them off the streets and to put them into programs that give them an alternative,” he said.
As the president of Grafton Midday Rotary, Cr Smith said he was working to form a partnership with the PCYC to try to prevent youth crime.
He encouraged everyone to provide their feedback to Council’s draft Community Strategic Plan which is currently on exhibition on Council’s website.
Andre Els spoke of the success the program has achieved combating crime in the Lismore and Goonellabah areas where he has installed more than 110 CCTV cameras on homes for free.
The former police officer said in combination with the free We Watch app, the wireless Eufy C2 or C3 CCTV cameras, which are equipped with night vision, a light, and a siren to ward off potential intruders, had proven valuable in catching some of the 38 repeat offenders in his local area.
Mr Els suggested people purchase GPS tracking tags for their cars, so if they become a victim, they can provide the information to police.
For more information on Eufy CCTV cameras visit https://www.eufy.com/au
To download the We Watch app, which alerts every other app user within 1km of an incident immediately, visit https://www.wewatchapp.com/