The Katherine community has had an "absolute gutful" of the anti-social behaviour and mindless crime on our streets, says Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson.
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Responding to this week's vandalism of another CBD business, Ms Nelson said police statistics were showing that the number of crimes in Katherine were dropping.
Ms Nelson came in for heavy criticism from the newly unveiled CLP candidate for Katherine, Jo Hersey who claimed the Member for Katherine had gone missing through the crime crisis in Katherine.
"I was disappointed to walk down Katherine's main street this morning and see the damage done," Ms Hersey said yesterday.
" As a business owner, I know the expense of changing a broken window, the additional insurance, and other costs which add up over time, but it seems the Gunner Labor Government doesn't.
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"Where has the Member for Katherine been this whole time? Where has the Member for Katherine been when Rod and Rifle was robbed time and time again?
"Where was she when the banks on the main street sustained damage? Where has the Gunner Labor Government been for Katherine that is living through a crime crisis, and when the economy is stagnant?"
Replying today to Ms Hersey's criticism, Ms Nelson said any crime was unacceptable.
"That's why the Government has invested in more police, including 75 Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors and tough new consequences for youth offenders, such as boot camps," Ms Nelson said.
"Earlier this year the police launched Operation Pelion targeting property offenders in Katherine.
"We are already seeing results with significant drops in monthly property crime offences (September 2018 saw 142 total property offences, compared to 72 total property offences in September 2019).
"Commercial break-ins are also at a three-year low. I know how heartbreaking it is for small business owners who are at the coalface of what in many cases is mindless destruction for no reason.
"There is - there will always be - more to do. But our plans are beginning to work.
"A CLP government will only make the problem worse by scrapping school based policing, scrapping the BDR and slashing funding to youth services - they did it before, they will do it again."
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