I live in a suburb where there has been a recent spate of home burglaries and graffitti.
What has happened to the recent Y generation to make them so violence-oriented and how can we turn back this trend?
Do we have to spend the rest of our lives in fear?

This has to be sarcastic...

"I live in a suburb where there has been a recent spate of home burglaries and graffitti."

If you feel unsafe upgrade your home security.

"What has happened to the recent Y generation to make them so violence-oriented and how can we turn back this trend?"

This is ludicrous. How does a recent spate of theft and harmless graffiti in your suburb, amount to a whole generation being violence-oriented? And a specific generation at that.

"Do we have to spend the rest of our lives in fear?"

If you fear life, then yes.

Increasing violence, graffiti and other forms of unlawful behaviour are very real concerns. In many areas this has greatly depleted the quality of life of residents.

And yet you have no sympathy at all for Goddess’ concerns!

Steel, you are just plain weird!

It is only going to get worse. Our future outlook is not good, with water shortages, climate change, rapid population growth, and an inevitable decline in employment rates and increase in living costs as the minerals boom comes to an end and peak oil takes effect.

We desperately need a much stronger policing regime. We desperately need a national campaign to reinforce a strong rule of law.

I guess you would probably argue just the opposite – that we’d all be better off with fewer restrictions imposed on us through law!?

No matter how bad it gets just remember that if you arm yourself against intruders you will be breaking the law.

There was a time before civil libertarians and slick lawyers when public opinion together with parent, police and teacher discipline was able to contain antisocial behaviour. No one has the authority anymore; we have effectively castrated the police and teachers.
1) PUBLISH THE NAMES WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF EVERYONE CHARGED WITH ANTISOCIAL CRIME SUCH AS GRAFFITI, BASHING FOR ROBBERY AND BURGLARY REGARDLESS OF AGE.
2) CLOSE THE HOTELS AND CLUBS AT 10 OR 11PM. ALL THE WINDOW SMASHING HERE IS DONE AFTER THE LOCAL HOTELS CLOSE AT ABOUT 3 OR4AM.

Steel,
If you think graffitti is harmless then you are a sicko!
I have worked hard all my life for the home I have and I will never believe that anyone else has a right to trash my home for the decaying and moronic lack of values they carry.
I have two children who have been brought up with a sense of right and they know what respect is and of its' importance in civilised society.
Get a life whoever you are!

Answer the question. How does a recent spate of theft and graffiti in your suburb, amount to a whole generation being violence-oriented?

Goddess didn't indicate the graffiti was on people's homes. Violence is a loaded word. Usually it means assault. I'm supposed to believe a broken window is equal to violent assault against a person?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graffiti

As I said, if you feel unsafe, upgrade your home security. That is your responsibility. Police will never get rid of crime and can never prevent a burglary so it's useless to demand more. More police mean more annual expenditure for no benefit.

Hi to all you good folk...

I'm a retired copper (after many years in the job), and it absolutely amazes me the extent that crime against the person seems to be on the increase, certainly here in Melbourne. I don't know what generation 'Y' is, but I can confirm that most assaults are perpetrated by younger people, usually fuelled by alcohol and or drugs.

I see that many folk no longer feel safe in their own homes. What a shameful situation that is ! I note that one of our more erudite contributors suggests occupant/s should take appropriate measures to render their homes better protected, with the necessary security items, in order that they may feel a little safer. That's well and good if you have the money. However, the most vulnerable in our community are the older pensioners who reside alone, and generally don't have sufficient funds to eat properly, let alone purchase expensive security devices !

I feel so very angry with a government that allows this violent climate to flourish unabated !

Cheers...sungwu

Violence is out of control here in Sydney.Stay a away from George St in our CBD.My son and his girl friend were attacked a few weeks ago.If not for the bouncers from one of the pubs,he would have been dead.

I know so many people who have been randomly attacked minding their own business or just giving aid to a person being assaulted.Do not believe the lies eminating from our NSW Govt.Many people have given up reporting crime because they know the police will not act.The morale of our police force is so low now that new recruits cannot replace the exodus of experienced officers.Crime is not stable or decreasing.

Our legal system is not backing the police force in enforcing the law by giving real deterents in terms of real gaol sentences.I think our Iemma Govt has given the nod to Judges to go easy on sentences since it costs over $60,000.oo pa to keep one crim in gaol.

It will get a lot worse since this NSW Govt does not have the guts or will to tackle the problem.

Hi there Arjay...

You're absolutely correct my friend when you say that the government has neither the will nor the incentive to address violence in the community ! Apropos your comments on morale. Again you're totally correct. As I said in my earlier post, I've retired from the job and I've never been so happy. The police force used to be a real career and now it's considered, just a job. I'm so glad I'm out of it. True, I miss some of the blokes, but the executive (command) are absolutely morally corrupt ! They simply dance the tune of their political masters. God help this country if we ever confront a real terrorist incident.

Cheers...sungwu

What Steel has neglected to take into account is that it is not only our homes where people feel unsafe. Those that use public transport need to walk to that transport. People want to be able to use parks (or why else have them?). We should be able to walk down to the corner store without fear.

I suggest that generation Y is not as to blame as has been proposed. Violence and other anti-social behaviours have been around since the dawn of time. The hotspots do tend to change though, as the demographics of particular areas evolve over time.

Youth that feel disconnected from society and lacking a sense of meaning to their lives seem to form the vast majority of those with anti-social behaviours. Therefore outright punishment alone is unlikely to dissuade them from performing the same or worse act in the future.

I am not sure what the answer is, but I suggest that it needs to be a combination of punishment and social engagement. I have heard of a number of programs aimed at youth in poor regions of Sydney that have been relatively successful. The most successful seem to be run by former deliquents (who have a better understanding of the mindset of these kids than most of us).

Young kids have the backing of the law...well not so much the backing, but they have rights and they know their rights. The worst of the juveniles will have their 18th B'day to look forward to when the coppers rock up to their door and charge em with..well, EVERYTHING. They do believe they can get away with stuff because they have the misconseption the law will jump in to save them....unfortunately for them there still is a "clip round the ear" waiting for them when the cameras are off and they get caught...they also lose their right to be left alone by security and the police.

hi all,

i am a young male on the northern beaches. and i cant seem to understand where the violence and crime in younger people is coming from.

i am an extreme sports fanatic, and the upgrade of local facilities is being delayed (if not halted) by inconsiderate kids graffiting and misusing the facilities that many of us who are dedicated to.

is there a solution out there?

Yes, there is a solution, Vertrder.
Tougher penalties for this kind of behaviour including making them fix what they destroy.
Thank goodness there are some level headed young people out there like you seem to be.