cont'd ...

Dear Belly,

I've just come across this link which may be
of interest:

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/1620377/poll-girls-gone-wild/

Looking at the footage edited for brevity? The majority of assaults occur off peak periods. Some do occur in peak hour from experience its very unpleasant for all concerned.

Fare evasion which is highly likely to be behind this is a major problem PT, Metro & the State government of Victoria see it as a quick fix. A staffing problem & a budgetary problem.

Folks who evade are in several categories, drunk, drug affected or episodic confrontational. We can all relate to incidents on the train or tram home. I put this to you, was this person drug or drink affected, were they episodic & needing psychiatric help? Ok, step forward.

You are the one on the spot, deal with this person NOW react, NOW you have had 3-4 mins assessed them, they aren't listening, incoherent, rude and becoming aggressive COME ON MAKE A DECISION ACT NOW. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? ACT, you could get hurt ACT NOW too late they hit you, now its assault & a bagful of stuff you don't need.

In this instance we do not know. This does not excuse the spear tackle. There are other effective means of restraint and clearly none were used.

In isolation it appears an over reaction, we do not know any of the circumstances AT ALL. Only what was shown via an Iphone camera on the news.

Should Authorised Review Officers be used anymore no. Simply they are untrained, may well be over using their powers & react badly. Put into situations they are not trained for or suitable for

Not everyone who applies to join the Police is accepted or graduates or makes it to Retention after two years, or wants to make policing a career after 5years.

Judgement will be made the media will get excited and jump up & down. the truth may be a lot simpler than the media want.

Next time you see a situation develop, not after its happened decide what you would do? YES Call 000 as well but how would you handle this? Am guessing you don't know either!

From Foxy's link (above),

<University of Tasmania criminologist Professor Rob White, who last month published the book Youth Gangs, Violence and Social Respect, argues that most of what the media reports about female teenage violence in Australia is not related to gang activity in the conventional sense (initiations, tattoos, tags and territorialism) but is more a result of loose-knit groups of girlfriends and/or relations who enjoy getting into trouble.

White maintains that, for some young women, fighting is indeed "a regular part of their street experience [and] motivated by excitement, status and protection", adding that "over half of all female appearances in juvenile court are related to acts intended to cause injury or theft">

They know what they are doing. It is their choice. Housos out to wreak mayhem. While the Professor refers diplomatically to "loose-knit groups of girlfriends and/or relations who enjoy getting into trouble", there is no doubt in SEQld at least of imported tribalism. For example, Islanders and Aborigines going toe to toe. However they all threaten commuters on trains, abuse shopkeepers and security staff in shopping centres and mug elderly in shopping centre car parks.

They have rejected education and need enforced boundaries, discipline and work. It is work, not more of the 'Progressives' education, that will reduce the problem. That an some honestly about the downsudes and flaws in immigration policy.

Last sentence should have 'and' not 'an'.

We should not take it for granted this girl came from a bad home.
Some times too much love and support can lead kids away from the right path.
Last night, late I watched a English police Doco about street violence,including the recent riots.
It was confronting.
Showed violence and a savage hatred of authority.
We must confront we too will see far more of this if we just continue to do things as we do.
Discounting actions because of a bad home, or because we just do not want to hold youth accountable for their actions is not working.
A new way linked to law/work/dole/ will be found and would work but until the costs of imprisonment stop playing a role in sentencing, or lack of it, we will see more.
Personal accountability needs reenforceming.

the costs of imprisonment stop playing a role in sentencing,

Belly,
If we make prisons what they're supposed to be instead of making them 4Star motels with all imaginable gym & computer equipment then cost would be a minor consideration. There are prisoners who enjoy a better lifestyle than their victims.