Mindless Vandalism Targets Alice Springs Charity

Shadow Minister for Central Australia, Matt Conlan, has voiced his disgust at the repeated smashing of the windows of the Uniting Church Op Shop.

"It's my understanding that the Uniting Church Op shop turn over $25,000 a year but had to spent $12,000 repairing smashed windows during the same period,” says Mr Conlan.

"It is disgraceful that an organisation dedicated to helping people is the target of mindless vandalism.

"It's just one example of why we need more police on the beat in Alice Springs.

"Of course most nights in Alice have incidents of lawlessness on the streets.

"For example, I've been told of around 30-40 youths roaming the streets on Tuesday night causing damage to the touch footy and soccer club premises.

"I'm also aware that on Tuesday night the trucking yards were the scene of a violent disturbance and that police working the switch board were verbally harassed by callers.

"These incidents are now just a run of the mill Tuesday night disturbance.

"People coming to my office are sick to death of the disintegration of law and order in Alice Springs.

"All this impacting unfairly upon the police in Alice Springs who are stretched to limit trying to cope.

"They need more assistance; we need more police on the beat.

"It's time the Chief Minister admitted that fact and raided police establishment numbers by 20 to 30 sworn officers.”

2008-04-10