Key focus area—Crime prevention and community partnerships

Drug and alcohol initiatives

The Service continued to investigate and address the links between drugs, alcohol, substance misuse and violence. Partnerships with other government departments, non-government agencies and the community are aimed at implementing strategies to reduce alcohol and drug-related harm.

Specialist court programs

The aim of these programs is to help suitably motivated drug or alcohol offenders overcome their problematic drug or alcohol use and end their associated criminal behaviour. The QPS is an important partner in many of these programs:

Drug Court Program

The Drug Court Program is a Queensland Government funded initiative aimed at drug dependent offenders with a long criminal history.

Adult offenders who would otherwise be facing imprisonment for non-violent offences are offered the option of rehabilitation and are sentenced to an Intensive Drug Rehabilitation Order. The offender is re-sentenced following their successful or unsuccessful completion of the rehabilitation program which generally lasts for 18 months. The Drug Court Program is an initiative designed to break the link between drug use and crime.

The Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program

The Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program (QIADP) is designed to address Indigenous overrepresentation in the criminal justice and child protection systems. The criminal justice stream of QIADP is a pre-sentence bail based diversion program for defendants whose alcohol misuse is related to their offending. Under the voluntary program, eligible people are placed in individual treatment and case management programs lasting up to 20 weeks. The program provides treatment places in districts in three regions including Cairns which has 40 treatment places; Townsville which has 50 treatment places; and Rockhampton which has 40 treatment places.

The pilot will continue until 30 June 2010.

The Queensland Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment Program (QMERIT)

QMERIT is a pre-sentence bail based program which refers defendants into treatment and rehabilitation for 3 – 4 months prior to sentencing. Successful completion of the program should result in a mitigation of penalty. QMERIT targets illicit drug offenders whose drug use has contributed to their offending and generally excludes offences of serious personal violence and of a sexual nature. The pilot will continue until 30 June 2010.

Alcohol Court Diversion Program

The Alcohol Court Diversion Program is an eight week pre-sentence bail-based court program for adults and young people who have been charged with an alcohol related offence and admitted guilt. A twelve month pilot program commenced in the Caloundra Magistrates Court in April 2009.

Police Drug Diversion Program

The Police Drug Diversion Program aims to modify the behaviour of persons found in possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis and/or utensils and with little or no past contact with the criminal justice system. During 2008-09 diversion was offered to over 6 000 people throughout Queensland.

A compliance rate of about 80% for those attending assessment and education programs has been achieved.

Liquor and minors

Underage drinking is associated with a range of problems that require police attention.

Amendments to the Liquor Act 1992 now further restrict the supply of liquor to minors on private premises. Any person other than a responsible adult who supplies liquor to a minor at a private place is now breaking the law.

As at 30 June 2009, five charges have been preferred against adults who have supplied liquor to minors under the new laws.

New police powers under subsection 53A of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 also allow police to seize alcohol that has the potential to cause harm to minors or that is being recklessly provided to minors. Police can confiscate alcohol in cars and private and public places, and dispose of alcohol they reasonably suspect is destined for unsupervised consumption by minors.

Party Safe

The Party Safe initiative has continued to provide information and resources for the community to ensure people are informed about how to hold a successful, enjoyable and safe party. Up to the end of June 2009 over 23 000 brochures and 2 700 posters have been distributed. Non-reusable Party Safe wristbands were introduced in 2008 with over 90 000 distributed throughout Queensland so far. These wristbands assist in identifying uninvited guests at parties.

The Party Safe information is also available on the QPS internet site, with an average of just under 500 registration forms downloaded each month in 2008-09.

During this reporting period almost 6 000 parties have been registered with police.

One Punch Can Kill

The One Punch Can Kill campaign goes hand-inhand with the Queensland Police Service’s Party Safe initiative. The campaign seeks to help young people, particularly men between the ages of 15 and 25, to realise that a split-second decision to engage in violence can have enormous consequences. The One Punch Can Kill slogan is a reminder that a simple act of violence can ruin many lives. The campaign also targets girls and women with the slogan ‘I support blokes who don’t fight’.

This campaign is supported by key community groups including the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group and the Matthew Stanley Foundation. Since 2 February 2008, more than 31 000 people have visited the ‘One Punch Can Kill’ website (www. onepunchcankill.qld.gov.au), resulting in over 177 000 page requests. The online game on the website has been played 6 000 times. Additionally, over 6 900 people have joined the campaign supporters’ group on Facebook.

Online advertising has reached more than one million users with the advertisements appearing 19.4 million times on MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo and Hotmail. The outdoor inflatable display has been used at more than 20 events, exposing the campaign to tens of thousands in the target age group.

The campaign is currently in an evaluation phase but promotion continues through the website, Facebook and the inflatable display.

Drug detection

The Brisbane Dog Squad provided drug detection support to operational police in all parts of Queensland.

The Drug Detection Dog Unit attended 586 jobs and conducted 389 searches during the financial year, which resulted in significant seizures of drugs, firearms and property.

The Drug Detection Dog Unit is assisting with Operation ‘Weed it out’. (More on page 41). This initiative has been developed in partnership with North Queensland Indigenous communities and targets drug use in these communities.

Crime prevention initiatives

Community safety and crime prevention

The QPS provides funding for crime prevention projects across the State through the Community Crime Prevention Fund. The Fund supports partnerships between the QPS and community groups to develop local responses to local problems. In 2008-09 a diverse range of projects were funded including:

• Red Dust Healing (Central Region) targeted at members of the Indigenous community in Woorabinda with a focus on anti-social behaviour, interpersonal violence, wilful damage, sexual offences and family violence. The success of the program is highlighted by a very low rate of reoffending among the participants.
• Burglar Beware (North Coast Region) which involves an intense media campaign aimed primarily at burglars rather than the traditional campaigns that target the victim. The intended message to burglars includes that they are being watched by the community; and the consequences of their actions. (More on page 56).
• School Crime Stoppers Signs (South East Region) which were installed at 113 State and private schools across the Gold Coast and Logan police districts. They aim to encourage primary and secondary school students to report crime and safety concerns to Crime Stoppers.
• Love Bites (Southern Region) aimed directly at high school students in the Toowoomba community to tackle family violence and prevent sexual assault, while addressing gender stereotypes and encouraging young people to seek help from friends and local service providers.

Youth violence prevention

The Youth Violence Prevention Funding Grant was a one-off allocation of up to $150 000 from the 2008-09 Community Crime Prevention Fund that supported initiatives specifically aimed at the prevention and reduction of youth violence. Eight projects from across the State were approved for funding:

• Streetwise – Sunnybank
• Hard Yakka – Maroochydore
• Barambah Family Project – Cherbourg
• CoolHeads – Coolangatta/Tweed Heads
• Learn to Dig the Didge – Inala
• Riverscape – Surat
• Logan High Schools Multicultural Connect Program – Logan
• Say No to Violence – Kirwan

These projects will be progressed during 2009-10.

Youth Violence Taskforce

From November 2006 to November 2007 the Youth Violence Taskforce examined ways to reduce violence among young people and made 16 recommendations in its report Youth Violence in Queensland 2007. The recommendations primarily focused on youth and alcohol, education, positive values and behaviour, group and social violence, positive youth framework and engagement, families and behaviour management.

So far, 15 of the 16 recommendations have been implemented. The remaining recommendation has been substantially progressed in conjunction with the Department of Education and Training. It requires development of an educational program on communication and tactical withdrawal skills for secondary school students, and will commence in 2009-10.

A Ministerial Advisory Council (recommendation 16) formed in 2008 continues to advise Government on emerging youth trends and culture issues in relation to violence. Three meetings have been held to-date discussing youth groups/gangs, youth forums, schoolies, youth engagement and youth and alcohol.

Youth Violence Forum

A Youth Violence Forum was held on Wednesday 27 August 2008. The purpose of the Forum was to identify the current understanding and responses to youth violence in Queensland; establish what additional actions the QPS could undertake to address youth violence in Queensland; and establish how the QPS can work to achieve the additional actions that could be required to address youth violence.

The forum provided police with fresh impetus and ideas to address the issue of youth violence.

Addressing domestic violence

Domestic and family violence continues to be a serious social problem in Queensland.

In response to a recommendation from the 2005 CMC Report Policing Domestic Violence in Queensland, the QPS endorsed the establishment of a temporary Domestic and Family Violence Unit, which commenced operation on 1 October 2007.

In 2008-09 the unit achieved a number of significant outcomes. These include:

• the development and approval of the QPS Domestic and Family Violence Strategy 2009-2013. The strategy progresses the directions and intentions of the Australasian Policing Strategy on the Prevention and Reduction of Family Violence (issued by Australasian Police Commissioners in late 2008)
• development of and participation in the ‘For our sons and daughters: A Queensland Government strategy to reduce domestic and family violence 2009 – 2014’ endorsed by Cabinet in May 2009. As part of this commitment the QPS will participate in a legislative review of the Domestic and Family Violence Act 1989, the testing of an enhanced integrated response model to be piloted in Rockhampton and support the establishment of a safety upgrades program at the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Townsville to assist ictims to remain in their homes
• in partnership with the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), finalisation of a research project focusing on domestic homicide risk indicators and their use in policing practice. The outcomes of this research will be published nationally by the AIC in their Trends and Issues series later in 2009
• an evaluation and examination of the introduction of evidence kits to improve police responses
• completion of an internal review of domestic violence training and engagement of key stakeholders to develop a framework for enhancement of training based on the review’s findings.

The strategies seek to improve safety for the victims of domestic and family violence, hold perpetrators accountable and responsible for their actions and, ultimately, reduce the incidence of violence in Queensland.

Various regional initiatives and programs were also undertaken during this reporting period:

Domestic Violence – it’s not our game

Normanton is a remote community in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Historically the town has suffered high levels of domestic and family violence. The project focuses on having local people at the forefront of dealing with local problems. The aims are to create positive role models in the community, reduce the prevalence of domestic and family violence and create a safer community to live in. The slogan ‘Domestic Violence – it’s not our game’ was adopted by the Normanton Stingers Football Club team and the team agreed to become role models in the community by not participating in domestic violence.

The project has contributed to a 45% reduction in reported cases of domestic violence. Breaches of existing domestic violence orders decreased by 64% since the media campaign started on Imparja TV in May 2007 featuring the players and the slogan ‘Domestic Violence – it’s not our game’.

To date, the project has sustained lower rates of incidents of domestic violence. The 2009 television campaign has commenced with the anti domestic violence message appearing in all State of Origin and Friday night football games. This project won the National Crime and Violence Prevention Award in 2008. A Junior Stingers football team has been established with a youth relevant slogan: ‘Don’t be a fool – sniffing is not cool’.

Domestic Violence Re-visit Program

Police in St George, Southern Region, in partnership with domestic violence workers and other government agencies, are spearheading a coordinated community response to domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Re-visit Program started in January last year. Its success can largely be attributed to improved police contact at initial domestic violence call-outs, which are then followed up with return visits to speak with both parties.

Police Liaison Officers accompany officers on follow up visits to provide information on support services to help ensure the correct support, such as counselling, is accessed. As the visit usually occurs the day following the initial incident, it allows the Police Liaison Officer and the family to talk in a calm and safe environment free from high emotion and fear.

Figures to the end of June 2009 indicate a 40 percent drop in all areas of domestic violence, including breaches of domestic violence orders, the number of new applications and calls for police service. Offences typically associated with domestic violence situations, such as assault, stalking, wilful damage and public nuisance, have also declined significantly.

Project Pathways - Metropolitan South Region

Project Pathways was established in the southern areas of Brisbane in 2005 with three key objectives:

• enhance community awareness of available support services for domestic and family violence issues
• increase referrals to nominated agencies
• reduce calls for police assistance in relation to domestic violence.

Since the project began three years ago there has been a substantial reduction in calls for attendance to domestic violence incidents, confirmed domestic violence incidents and domestic violence order breaches.

Building Safer Communities Action Teams (BSCATs)

BSCAT teams comprise local stakeholders including councils, police, other government agencies, nongovernment agencies, community groups and community members. During 2008-2009 the QPS provided funding to six BSCATs and set aside funding for all teams still in the action planning process. Existing BSCATs continue to engage in and foster effective partnerships and networks to identify and address the causes of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

CPTED strategies change aspects of the physical environment so that potential offenders are deterred from anti-social behaviour or crime. CPTED for example, can be applied through improved street lighting, adequate signage and maximising visibility of the street.

In November 2008, the QPS was recognised with a prestigious 2008 Planning Institute of Australia, Queensland Award for Excellence in the category of ‘Urban Design–Plans and Ideas’ for its Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Guidelines for Queensland.

In May 2009, the QPS supported the International Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Association’s regional CPTED forum held at Ipswich. CPTED practitioners from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific attended the forum and addressed a range of topics including crime prevention and new technologies, graffiti prevention and the significance of CPTED in urban design and community safety.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) is a program aimed at providing a professional, non discriminatory, accessible policing service to members of LGBTI communities. This is done by developing partnerships, ensuring equality, accountability and professionalism and improving service delivery to members of LGBTI communities. An updated and accredited training package for LGBTI police liaison officers is currently being developed.

Shopping safely

Police Beat Shopfronts establish a policing presence in central business areas and provide a convenient base at major shopping centres for the community to report crime. Police Beat Shopfronts monitor and report on local crime trends and implement appropriate preventive strategies.

During 2008-09, there were 47 Police Beat Shopfronts located throughout Queensland.

Rural Watch

Rural Watch is a program similar to the Neighbourhood Watch program in which police and local communities work together to address crime occurring within a rural setting.

There are currently 51 active Rural Neighbourhood Watch areas in 15 towns throughout the State. Each area seeks to reduce the number of preventable offences by:

• improving personal safety and household/building security
• reporting suspicious activity
• ensuring property is appropriately marked for identification
• marketing the program to residents and business people within the area.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) is a well known community-based program that continues to be very popular and effective in reducing residential crime and improving personal safety and household security. In response to the 2008 parliamentary review into NHW, it will be re-launched at the NHW State Conference in October 2009. The new directions for NHW include focussing on the broader community safety context and ensuring that NHW remains contemporary and relevant. There are currently 551 active Neighbourhood Watch areas in Queensland, including the 51 rural watch groups.

Crime bulletins

The publication of district-based crime bulletins was launched in October 2008 in Cairns. Crime bulletins have strengthened Neighbourhood Watch programs through the use of locally-focussed email newsletters, providing information to the community to assist in clearing offences, providing details about crime prevention initiatives, and allowing the community an opportunity to share crime information anonymously through Crime Stoppers. This has led to greater community involvement in crime prevention activities and is helping achieve our Toward Q2 ambition of supporting safe and caring communities.

Electronic crime bulletins are now published in all police districts and distributed via email to more than 250 000 people across the state. In some regions, the Crime Bulletin is accessible via the region’s homepage on the QPS website. This enables the community to log on and see information about their local district and other districts across the state.

The effectiveness of the Crime Bulletin is demonstrated by the following examples:

• Within 24 hours of one edition of the Wynnum District Bulletin being made available, a suspect was identified by a community member viewing the crime bulletin and was subsequently charged with various armed robbery and stealing offences.
• In Townsville, following the publication of a District Crime Bulletin promoting road safety, the District recorded significant decreases in drink driving offences and traffic incidents.

The Coordinated Response to Young People at Risk (CRYPAR) Program

This program is a whole of government initiative which aims to assist young people in addressing issues which are often identified as contributing factors in the development of criminal and self- harming tendencies and anti-social behaviour.

The CRYPAR program has been successfully trialled in the North Brisbane and Pine Rivers police districts.

Metropolitan North Region has referred in excess of 1 000 young people, ensuring families across the region are receiving support from agencies to address a range of issues that affect recidivism. Of those young people with a history of committing criminal offences, 66% have not committed an offence since their referral.

The program has now been adopted in Logan District and Rockhampton District with funding assistance from Education Queensland and Xstrata Mines respectively.

Indigenous support

North Coast Region, in partnership with the South Burnett Community Training Centre, is trialling an innovative new program to deal with problems related to drug and alcohol misuse, truancy, incarceration and fine repayments.

The Barambah Community Support Program aims to reduce the number of Indigenous people in the watchhouse, support those who are incarcerated and engage Indigenous young people from Murgon and Cherbourg in drug and alcohol-free diversion activities.

Three Community Support Officers (CSO) were recently appointed to work cooperatively with Cherbourg and Murgon Police to help Indigenous people deal with problems. The CSOs have provided comfort and support for Indigenous inmates, helped to negotiate fine repayments, conducted school truancy runs, and involved young people in school holiday camps and sporting activities such as basketball, touch football, cricket and swimming. This approach aims to address problems before they lead to imprisonment.

Binge Drinking Project

The Metropolitan South Police Regional Office began a project this year to gauge and understand binge drinking by young women and the subsequent consequences of their often reckless behaviour. Two types of surveys were conducted. A hardcopy survey for females was run through 17 high schools in the Metropolitan South Region. The participating schools included State and private schools (both co-educational and female only). An on-line survey was also hosted through the QPS website and was advertised through a number of youth oriented websites. Analysis of the results has been conducted by the project team and recommendations made which are currently being considered.

Young males and binge drinking

In October 2008, another project to provide an understanding of binge drinking by young males and subsequent consequences and police responses, was completed. This project analysed the behaviour and attitude to alcohol of nearly 1 000 students and their parents across 18 schools in the Metropolitan South Police Region.

An examination of Metropolitan South Region crime data revealed that prior to this study there had been a 28% increase in alcohol related crime amongst those aged under 25 years at the same time as a 12% decrease in non-alcohol related crime amongst the same age group.

This research uncovered a range of useful and previously undocumented information, allowing for a more thorough consideration of strategies to address and prevent alcohol related crime. The research report and its recommendations are currently being considered.

Project Precinct

Brisbane City Station initiated a strategic approach to ‘beat policing’ through delivering crime prevention support to traders in the Brisbane Central Business District. Crime prevention materials including personal safety information, robbery prevention advice and a regular point of contact to enhance the service provided by the beat officers, has led to greater cooperation and involvement in proactive strategies, such as profiling shoplifters and targeting repeat calls for service.

Feedback from traders is very positive, with many reporting increased levels of satisfaction with police.

Project ID-IT

A six month trial that includes a new microscopic property marking technique has been completed in the Sandgate Police Division. As a result, the QPS is rolling out microdot identification equipment for use in all major property offices.

In addition, Brisbane City Council has committed $3 million over four years to provide microdot kits at a subsidised rate to Brisbane residents.

Microdots are a modern way of marking property for identification.

Its superior application promises to complement current property marking strategies, and give police an unprecedented identification rate for recovered stolen property. This technology is already used extensively in the top end luxury car market and by major companies interested in discreetly marking property to reduce theft.

In August 2008 Project ID-IT won a silver award in the QPS Excellence Awards, which recognise innovation and excellence in policing initiatives.

Weed It Out

In partnership with James Cook University, Far Northern Region is working on cannabis demand and supply reduction strategies as well as crime prevention strategies in Cape York and Torres Strait communities.

Throughout the year information and consultation sessions have been held with a range of stakeholders which resulted in enhancing the capabilities and expansion of the Weed It Out project on the islands in the region.