Published Wednesday, 30 May, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
ROB GETS IT WRONG YET AGAIN
Rob Messenger’s claim that the 3AM lockout is not working on city streets is plain wrong, Minister for Police Judy Spence said today.
“Hoteliers and business owners have shown strong support for the 3AM lockout, with the head of the Brisbane Licensees Association, Phil Hogan, quoted in today’s paper saying Brisbane is now safer than it was two years ago,” Ms Spence.
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger was again misrepresenting figures, by suggesting an increase in public nuisance arrests proved there was an increase in drunken louts roaming the streets.
“These figures are the direct result of increased police presence and proactive policing measures, implemented as part of the 17 point Brisbane City Safety Action Plan, and Rob Messenger knows that,” Ms Spence said.
“By being where and when crimes and public disorder offences are occurring, police are making more arrests and cracking down on violence and anti-social behaviour.
“The provision by the Beattie Government of the specifically designed and fitted police brawler van has also increased police capability to manage drunk and violent offenders, by allowing them to transport up to 11 offenders at a time, on a rapid one-way ride to the watchhouse.
“This capacity of the van to manage multiple offenders means police are able to spend more time patrolling the streets, instead of being caught up in multiple runs to the watchhouse.”
Ms Spence said the 3am lockout initiative has been in effect in Brisbane’s city and Valley precincts since April 2005.
“Since the introduction of the 3AM lockout, a review of police rostering, the targeting of liquor related violence and a speed processing system to expedite watchhouse charging procedures have achieved excellent results,” Ms Spence said.
“An improved assault reporting strategy is also encouraging more people to report assaults to police when and where assaults occur.
“We are seeing more people coming forward to police at the time of assaults, increasing the chances of police intervention and identification of offenders.
“It appears the incident involving a prominent radio personality on Sunday night, whilst unfortunate, was not an act of random violence. Rob’s unquenchable desire to issue media releases, has unfortunately led him to jump on the coat tails of this story.”
Ms Spence said claims not enough police were being rostered to patrol the streets during peak weekend periods were completely false.
“The rostering practices of both the City and Valley Divisions were both reviewed as a result of the 17 point plan and rosters were rewritten to reflect peak calls for service,” Ms Spence said.
“The Beattie government also introduced last year, a new 14-member Tactical Crime Squad in the Brisbane CBD and Valley, to complement the work of the Central District Support Unit and the existing Tactical Crime Squad.
“These units now have a strong operational focus during peak periods, boosting frontline policing in the city, by providing targeted support to crews already rostered on for first response policing in the city on weekends.”
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger’s claims the government is holding back on information are ludicrous.
“I table in parliament comprehensive statistics on policing on a regular basis,” Ms Spence said.
“It appears Rob has fallen into the bad habit of issuing press releases simply for the sake of it.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491
“Hoteliers and business owners have shown strong support for the 3AM lockout, with the head of the Brisbane Licensees Association, Phil Hogan, quoted in today’s paper saying Brisbane is now safer than it was two years ago,” Ms Spence.
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger was again misrepresenting figures, by suggesting an increase in public nuisance arrests proved there was an increase in drunken louts roaming the streets.
“These figures are the direct result of increased police presence and proactive policing measures, implemented as part of the 17 point Brisbane City Safety Action Plan, and Rob Messenger knows that,” Ms Spence said.
“By being where and when crimes and public disorder offences are occurring, police are making more arrests and cracking down on violence and anti-social behaviour.
“The provision by the Beattie Government of the specifically designed and fitted police brawler van has also increased police capability to manage drunk and violent offenders, by allowing them to transport up to 11 offenders at a time, on a rapid one-way ride to the watchhouse.
“This capacity of the van to manage multiple offenders means police are able to spend more time patrolling the streets, instead of being caught up in multiple runs to the watchhouse.”
Ms Spence said the 3am lockout initiative has been in effect in Brisbane’s city and Valley precincts since April 2005.
“Since the introduction of the 3AM lockout, a review of police rostering, the targeting of liquor related violence and a speed processing system to expedite watchhouse charging procedures have achieved excellent results,” Ms Spence said.
“An improved assault reporting strategy is also encouraging more people to report assaults to police when and where assaults occur.
“We are seeing more people coming forward to police at the time of assaults, increasing the chances of police intervention and identification of offenders.
“It appears the incident involving a prominent radio personality on Sunday night, whilst unfortunate, was not an act of random violence. Rob’s unquenchable desire to issue media releases, has unfortunately led him to jump on the coat tails of this story.”
Ms Spence said claims not enough police were being rostered to patrol the streets during peak weekend periods were completely false.
“The rostering practices of both the City and Valley Divisions were both reviewed as a result of the 17 point plan and rosters were rewritten to reflect peak calls for service,” Ms Spence said.
“The Beattie government also introduced last year, a new 14-member Tactical Crime Squad in the Brisbane CBD and Valley, to complement the work of the Central District Support Unit and the existing Tactical Crime Squad.
“These units now have a strong operational focus during peak periods, boosting frontline policing in the city, by providing targeted support to crews already rostered on for first response policing in the city on weekends.”
Ms Spence said Mr Messenger’s claims the government is holding back on information are ludicrous.
“I table in parliament comprehensive statistics on policing on a regular basis,” Ms Spence said.
“It appears Rob has fallen into the bad habit of issuing press releases simply for the sake of it.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell 3239 6172/ 0408 732 491