The Territory Government is breaking the cycle of crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs through a comprehensive plan, which includes expanded hours with night patrol and youth drop-in centres now operating seven days a week.
The Tangentyere Council Brown Street Youth Drop-In Centre, The Gap Youth and Community Centre, and the Tangentyere Night Patrol previously only operated for five days a week. Both youth drop-in centres have also extended their bus services to ensure that young people get home safely.
New operating hours are:
- Tangentyere Night Patrol – Everyday 6pm to 3am
- Tangentyere Council Brown Street Youth Drop-In Centre – Sunday to Thursday 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Friday and Saturday 5:30pm to 12:00am
- The Gap Youth and Community Centre – Everyday 4pm to 10pm
The youth drop-in centres provide regular, safe, and structured activities for at-risk young people. Activities are all focused on health and well-being, positive socialisation, and educational activities. These include learning how to cook healthy meals, sports competitions, movie nights, overnight camps, computer skills development, music-making, writing and performing.
The Tangentyere Night Patrol helps get young people off the streets at night and also provide assistance to people sleeping rough.
Expanded hours for night patrols and youth drop-in centres, is part of the Territory Government’s Breaking the Cycle plan to tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs.
Other initiatives include:
- Appoint seven Youth Engagement Night Officers (YENOs) to work seven days a week from 8pm-3am with young people who are on the street (and regularly involved in crime) and get them on a better path. YENOs will support NT Police, Territory Families and non-government youth services. A trial of the new service was conducted during the Easter school holidays. (In effect 28 June 2019)
- More mobile CCTV cameras in anti-social behaviour hot spots. (Already in effect)
- Two School Engagement Officers to work with young people who have been identified as being disengaged from schooling. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
- Three School Compliance Officers to work with young people when attempts to increase school attendance has not been successful. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
- Create an Aboriginal-led Youth Outreach Service. A team of senior, respected Aboriginal outreach workers will provide advice and support to youth engagement officers and mentor Aboriginal youth, drawing on the cultural authority of the Tangentyere Council Men’s Four Corners Group and Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group. (In effect 1 July 2019)
Source: NT Government