I live in a town, where youth crime has increased 25% in the past 3yrs. That's scary... it's to the point that people are scared in their own homes, and some neighbourhoods are simply not safe to drive past, let alone live in.
Iv noticed, while working in our local school, that my town, has very little in terms of programs for kids who need more guidance. The only program is at the local PCYC of a morning. Kids can only attend if they are not suspended as the programs works along with schools as an attempt to keep kids in school. So if a child is constantly suspended, they cant get involved. This is all we have to offer, other then a program, called life choices, that costs a fortune. They also work with troubled youth, but the majority of my town, lives well below the poverty line. We have a large population as we are only 2hrs from major cities and holiday destinations.
How and who do I approach..... about trying to get funding for some form of youth program. Even if it's only a night hang out to keep teens off the streets, that offers cheep or free basic foods and drinks.
4 Replies
First step would be your local shire, they are the ones that should be implementing programs and applying for grants to start programs for youth. Theres a good chance things have already started moving in the way of meetings, ideas etc if community members have started complaining about youth crime but if not go along to a meeting and bring it up. Nothing changes unless people make noise.
I'd suspect this is my city, except it's not a majority of poverty here. It's got a huge cross section of socio economic families from poverty to Uber wealthy.
If it is, I'm in QLD & I've read about a few new programs starting soon. Perhaps contact the local council or community police or state government for contact details and volunteer at one? I'm not sure exactly who to contact, but you're a wonderful person for wanting to help.
We are in nsw mid north coast. Most of the well off, live on farm land on the out skirts.
It is something many people in our community have been begging for, with little reply. There is even talk to stop the program at the pcyc as their is only one police officer working the program. We are also have limited police presents. Even for something important people are waiting hours for them to shoe up. They spend too much time on the highway instead of the towns they should be paying attention too.
Our then has a night curfew and its not even policed. Large gangs of teens walking the streets.... some not upto no good, other then to be seen, but most are up to no good.
When I moved here, the pcyc was open 24hrs. Their was 3 officers on rotation. They had 2 youth leasons. We had a "street beat" bus. It went around day and night, picking up truent students and kids wondering at night, and took them back to the pcyc and it kept kids off the streets. They did games, boxing, gymnastics, craft, and offered food and drinks. But that stopper in around 2015
Similar problem I think. The issue is the youths doing this are after a thrill. It's mostly car theft. They'd beat up anyone trying to help them. There was a massive car accident a few months ago. One died. Another in hospital for weeks. Within a few days that one was back at it. They have zero care. A place to go wouldn't really help, unfortunately. They want the dopamine hit & to boast by posting videos online.
There's no consequences. No deterrent. We now have Polair and more resources. They don't care. They're arrested & back on the streets the next day.
I feel your frustration. I really do. I won't go walking early morning on my own anymore as I don't feel safe. The one thing I used to really enjoy. I drive with my car doors locked & check thoroughly before getting in & out of my car at the shops as they're carjacking people in the carpark. They all have security guards now. What have we become?
I hope you find something. We had a forum but the Premier didn't turn up. Sent some people with a PowerPoint to show how brilliant they were instead.