Former Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan has warned crime in Kununurra will spike all over again, unless Government makes ‘unpalatable’ decisions and removes child offenders from unsafe homes.
UPDATE: The Kimberley region is in crisis as a dramatic surge in juvenile crime prompts urgent calls for intervention. Former police commissioner Karl O’Callaghan has urged the Cook Government to take immediate action by removing at-risk Indigenous youth from unsafe home environments, emphasizing that current measures are insufficient.
Last week, a shocking incident involved a 10-year-old boy who was arrested twice in just two nights in Kununurra, both times for being in a stolen vehicle while fleeing from police. This incident highlights the alarming trend, with authorities reporting a total of 29 juveniles arrested in Kununurra over a single week.
Footage obtained by 7News shows police actively breaking up groups of youths as young as 13 late at night, raising concerns over community safety. Officers noted the presence of young girls in stolen cars during what was otherwise a mild evening.
In response to the escalating situation, the Kimberley has seen the deployment of additional police resources. O’Callaghan stated that the rise in crime will persist unless the State Government makes tough decisions, particularly regarding the removal of children from dangerous circumstances. “We’ve got to get a bit harder to save those kids and the town,” he said.
“Where children are in moral danger, physical danger, they have to be removed and placed, hopefully with another Aboriginal family,” said O’Callaghan.
His comments come amid a backdrop of long-standing issues in the region, where youth crime, including car theft and vandalism, has become increasingly common. O’Callaghan criticized previous interventions as mere “band-aid solutions,” insisting that substantive measures are necessary to address the root causes of the problem.
“It’s been going on for more than 30 years… We need a significant intervention led by government,” he added, highlighting the dire living conditions faced by many children in the area.
In a statement, the Cook Government acknowledged the complexities surrounding the recent violent incidents in Kununurra. A government spokeswoman confirmed their commitment to an “evidence-based approach” and stated, “We have coordinated agencies to deliver a range of measures — night patrols, safe spaces, and on-call support services — to help support vulnerable children.”
Despite government assurances, local leaders remain skeptical. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas labeled Kununurra a town “under siege” and called for a permanent increase in police presence alongside the fast-tracking of a proposed Night Space facility aimed at providing safe environments for youths.
Police Commissioner Col Blanch noted that successful programs in other regions, such as Fitzroy and Broome, could be replicated in Kununurra, but emphasized the challenges posed by staffing shortages and housing issues for police officers.
The Police Union highlighted ongoing difficulties in recruitment due to a lack of government housing, with WAPU President Dave Flaherty citing urgent needs for housing access to improve staff retention.
Teachers in the region have also reported concerning security issues, with some receiving wheel clamps at induction due to inadequate housing facilities. State School Teachers Union President Matt Jarman criticized the situation, stating it is unacceptable for staff to have to compromise their vehicle security.
As the situation continues to unfold, the community remains on high alert. The government faces mounting pressure to take decisive action to protect its youth and restore safety in Kununurra. The call for a comprehensive strategy to address these urgent issues is more pressing than ever.
What’s next? Watch for updates as local leaders and authorities navigate this complex crisis in the coming days.
