Residents are reporting living in fear of destructive weekend parties with juveniles on the streets of Cotton Tree to Alexandra Headland Surf Club and they’ve had enough.
Member for Maroochydore and Shadow Minister for Integrity in Government, Fiona Simpson MP, said she has been contacted by residents after a weekend of chaos where cars were pelted with bottles.
“Friday night saw about 100 juveniles on foot, bikes and e-scooters taking to the street drinking alcohol, throwing bottles at passing cars. The beach was also littered with bottles, broken glass and I’m told several people got the glass in their feet the following morning on their way to their morning surf or swim.
“Residents have reported being terrified with kids doing wheelies behind the police cars, jumping into private properties, running/scootering/biking all over Alex Parade and Aerodrome Road. They also said there were fights all over the place.
“Police on the Sunshine Coast are working hard to keep our whole community safe, but they haven’t been given the resources by the State Government and are limited by the current Juvenile Justice Act which has sparked a youth crime crisis in our State.
“There are 322 fewer police in Queensland than this time last year despite Labor promising an extra 1450. On the Sunshine Coast I hear regular reports that there are only one or two police cars across some of our biggest towns on Friday night and they are stretched thin.”
“The Government isn’t being honest about the actual police numbers and they are burning them out and they are leaving in droves.
“It’s time the police were properly supported, resourced and had the right laws to keep our streets safe and to be able to do their job.”