Ipswich says boot criminals

IPSWICH residents have backed Mayor Paul Pisasale’s calls to crack down on criminals in the city, saying they felt the criminal justice system had let them down.

Cr Pisasale’s sparked controversy on Wednesday when he said he felt like turning the Safe City cameras off sometimes and “letting the police do their job with a number-nine boot”.

While the comment drew a rebuke from Police Minister Neil Roberts, Cr Pisasale said he would not back down on his tough comments – a move backed by Ipswich residents.

“The police are frustrated because they constantly have to deal with these criminals who continue to reoffend and have a flagrant disregard for authority,” Cr Pisasale said.

“We need to do something about it, whether it be a boot camp or something similar to teach these kids respect, because jail or the threat of prison isn’t rehabilitating them.”

Our online poll revealed 91 per cent of respondents agreed with Cr Pisasale, as did a number of Ipswich residents who spoke to The Queensland Times.

Clare Herden, 32, of Fernvale said: “If it’s a first-time offence they should be given a chance to redeem themselves, but if they continue to break the law, they should get a kick in the backside.”

Newtown resident George Holmes, 60, said he believed the public would trust police if they were given more powers to deal with repeat offenders.

“Police used to command respect and they certainly got respect from kids when I was young, because you would be scared of the consequences if you played up,” he said.

4BC Brisbane Drive presenter Michael Smith, whose station presented the law-and-order forum on Wednesday, said he received plenty of feedback from listeners who backed Cr Pisasale’s comments.

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield’s Associate Professor of Law Anthony Gray disagreed, saying alleged offenders should be treated with respect and presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Mayor wants to give crims the boot