“If we want to be a global city and competitive at that level, then it comes with all the baggage of a global city. Would you go to New York and think there’s going to be no crime? You wouldn’t.”
Zahnow says the current Queensland government pushed through the election with a tough on crime approach, which contributed to an increase in online concern about neighbourhood crime. Hundreds of online groups still consistently post updates about crime in their suburb.
“I don’t think it’s fear at the moment, I think it’s anger. That’s because of the way the government has actually gone into this, that it’s all about blame. They’re blaming the previous government, then people are angry,” Zahnow says.
“When people are angry, people tend not to think things through.”
This is where vigilantism typically comes into the community discussion, Zahnow says, creating further problems.
“When people want to empower themselves – some of that comes from fear, some of that comes from anger, and some of that does come from feeling like the services available are not legitimate. So they can’t rely on the police.
“I think there is a lack of law legitimacy at the moment, or perceived law legitimacy, where they think the ways things are run are not good enough.”
Zahnow says people are also seeing that the Crisafulli government’s ‘adult crime, adult time’ has its issues, with some children not treated by the courts in the way the community may have expected. There was also criticism from the community that offences such as attempted murder were not included in the first tranche of the Making Queensland Safer Laws, particularly after the alleged stabbing of a Coles worker.
Bail applications for young offenders
Data tabled to parliament this week by the Attorney-General showed in January there had been 339 applications for bail for juveniles, up from the previous month of 282. In January 2023, there were 373 bail applications granted.
Dr Chloe Keel, a criminology lecturer at Griffith University, says research indicates feelings of safety in the community are influenced by multiple factors.
These include confidence in government institutions, quality of governance, level of social welfare and protection, and community connections and social cohesion.
“While some advocate for stricter law enforcement approaches, evidence suggests that harsher measures alone may not improve long-term community safety,” she says.
“Media coverage of crime can influence public perception of safety, sometimes leading to increased concerns that may not align with actual crime rates.”
Keel says in regards to the current government approach, she agreed with an earlier assessment by Catherine Heyworth-Smith KC, who said there was “no evidence that the measures proposed in this bill will reduce crime rates in our community or make it safer”.
Keel referenced a 2022 Griffith University study in Brisbane which found that 22 per cent of participants believed they would likely be robbed in the next 12 months, while 28 per cent believed they would face harassment.
“Concerns about crime often connect to broader social issues, particularly during periods of economic stress like the current cost of living challenges,” she says.
“More targeted local research would help inform evidence-based policies that address Queensland’s unique circumstances and community needs.”
