Days after Trent de With's fishing store was broken into for the fourth time this year he signed himself up to take a group of disadvantaged kids on a fishing trip to the Mount Todd Gold Mine.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Katherine has a crime problem; has had one for years.
The issue is complex, but youth are at the core for a multitude of reasons: the main one being the streets are often safer than home, and food is not always plenty.
Police stats, last year and for most of this year too, showed a small business was being broken into almost daily.
For a lot of people in the town, especially those who have been left counting the cost of a break-in time and time again, a punitive approach is what is wanted.
But research shows that often deepens the chasm, rather than bridging the gap.
"I can't be seen to be moaning about youth crime while not being a part of the solution," Mr de With said.
So yesterday, he loaded up two boats with rods and casting nets and went fishing with ten youth aged 12 to 14, who are at risk of heading down a path of deviation.
"If I can influence one or two kids, that's a success," he said.
For most of the group, throwing a line was a novelty, despite growing up in a town where fishing is a favourite past-time for many.
And while there wasn't a single fish caught, the day was definitely deemed a success.
"They loved it. We taught them how to throw a cast net and how to use a rod and reel," Mr de With said - as the manager of Rod and Rifle Tackleworld, he knew what he was doing.
"When a fish grabs a line you've worked hard at and you catch a barra you know you've succeeded and that's an unbeatable feeling."
He says he hopes that catches on.
"It's a different avenue they can take. Now they can fish, maybe they'll do that instead."
CCTV surveillance at the fishing store captured a youth throwing a rock at the front glass entrance and then kicking his way in, late one night in August.
It wasn't the first time the store had been broken into, and it certainly wasn't the last.
Mr de With said the trip was an eye opening experience into the lives of Katherine's youth.
"What these kids go through at home made me realise how lucky we are and that we have to help before it gets worse," he said.
"Most are not at home, because their home lives are that bad, and we need to let them know that there are safe places for them.
"We also need to work on creating more safe places for them to go at night."
It is not the last time the fishing equipment will be used, Mr de With said, he hopes he has sparked an interest.
And in a positive and heartwarming twist no-one saw coming, today, two of the youth went in to the store to inquire about after school jobs, he said.
"So it had a positive effect."
The program was supported by the NT Government.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.