Member for Currumbin Jann Stuckey has put forward her version of the 3Rs in an effort to stop escalating assaults amongst school-aged youth in the Currumbin electorate.
“Recent unprovoked assaults on defenceless students such as the recent incident in Elanora must be stopped,” said Ms Stuckey
“Respect, Restraint and Repercussion are the 3Rs that need to be taught in schools as a matter of urgency, before there’s an avoidable death.
“Young people need guidance, positive role models and set boundaries. They also need to learn to respect another individual, how to control their anger, and that failure to do so will cause them to suffer a negative effect.
“This Labor Government have taken a soft on crime approach and at the same time short-changed us with police numbers. Now we are well and truly paying the price of their neglect.
“Strategies that would deter crimes of this nature have been ignored by the Bligh Government.
“Calls for school based police officers have fallen on deaf ears when clearly they would have a stabilising influence and give some confidence to those who are being bullied and threatened. Youth curfews and boot camps suffered a similar fate.
“It has been said that a carrot-and-stick approach has not been successful in getting young people engaged, well perhaps it’s time for more stick and less carrot.
“Too many adolescents are committing violent acts on each other not to mention private and public properties. However, bricks and mortar can be mended, property can be replaced but there is no guarantee that injured humans can be completely fixed.
“Serious, repeat juvenile offenders are getting off with a slap on the wrist whilst their victims may carry scars for life. Tougher sentencing provisions for juveniles would send a strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“I am no stranger to dealing with youth problems in Currumbin. In 2005 when we were experiencing frequent youth issues I set up a number of strategies that successfully curbed anti-social behaviours.
This included a Concerned Parents Forum, re-formation of the Palm Beach Consultative Committee, youth surveys were undertaken, public forums were hosted by myself with our police and a youth award was commenced.
“As these negative behaviours once again surface I am considering holding another forum so together as a community we can achieve a safer living environment for everyone.”
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Contact Jann Stuckey 0439 755919