Cont..

So to the town and shire of Northam. What do the stats say?

There are nearly twice the percentage of indigenous folk in the shire compared to the rest of WA and over 50% of these are under the age of 18.

It is in the bottom third of the SEFIA index of social disadvantage for the state. The median weekly income is $383 compared to $500 for the rest of the state. Nearly twice the average in public housing and with an unemployment rate of 7% compared to 5% for WA.

Yet when we look at the indicators for things stereotypically laid at the feet of young indigenous people we see something interesting. Residential burglaries are nearly half that of the state average, 4.8 per 1000 compared to 9.2, and the same is true for car thefts, 1.3 to 2.6. All drug offence categories are also significantly lower than average.

That isn't to say there are not indicators showing a community with serious social challenges, both non-aggravated assault and property damage are notably higher. Some of it is evidenced by the feuding families. 

So who are the main offenders? It turns out the highest proportion are non-indigenous males aged 20-29 and they represent nearly five times the number of indigenous men offending from the same age bracket. That is where you need to focus your efforts runner if you are so concerned about the good folk of Northam.

So my question to you runner when will you “take responsibility for their disgusting behaviour?”

Runner, I fail to see what is 'insulting' about calling people who bash others bad eggs? What would you call them?

I don't like violent people from any race or creed, but unlike many do-gooders, I don't blame anyone else but the violent people for their own actions.

Have you visited a Prison in WA. Some of the Regionals have up to 90% indigeneous when their populations are around 15%. You can manipulate all you like but the only ones you are fooling are those that want to remain blind to epidemic problems amoung many (not all) young indigeneous people. Speak to a few people who live in these towns many of them Maori or African and you might learn a little bit of fact instead of twisting stats to keep you blind.

Dear runner,

Facts?

Let us look at how you treat facts. The tagline of the article you linked to reads "CHILDREN as young as 11 took to the streets of Northam last night armed with weapons as a family feud turned violent."

Under your pen that referenced as; "I don't see gangs of 8 or 9 year old white kids running around with axes and machettes".

Why shouldn't readers assess your thread as an agenda driven beat up when you are so inclined to hype the facts to suit?

That there are serious issues within some indigenous communities is undeniable but which are attributable to the type of disadvantage that can afflict any Australian community?

If you are not about to apologize to the Aboriginal community for McQuarrie Fields then you shouldn't be asking the same from them for two feuding families in Northam.

To me this is a law and order issue including a fair distribution of resources.

I see csteele you now reveal yourself as part of the guilt industry

'If you are not about to apologize to the Aboriginal community for McQuarrie Fields then you shouldn't be asking the same from them for two feuding families in Northam. '

You are blaming barbaric behaviour of young kids in 2012 on what happened 200 years ago. No wonder we are no closer to any solutions. Can't say I am really surprised.

income is $383 compared to $500 for the rest of the state.
csteele,
Is that for labourers or tradespeople ?