Giz Watson MLC
Member for North Metropolitan Region
MEDIA RELEASE
Released Wednesday, February 17, 2010
 

Targeting repeat offenders an effective alternative: Greens
“The Greens welcome last year’s drop in crime rates”, says Greens MLC Giz Watson.

“Concentrating police efforts on the small minority of offenders who commit most crimes is a strategy that works”, she says.

“We have limited police resources and it makes absolute sense to focus on the offenders who cause the most damage, instead of squandering police resources on stopping and searching innocent members of the public,” Ms Watson said.

“I dispute the claim of the Attorney General and Minister for Police that the 2009 drop in crime is attributable to the government’s “tough” law and order approach because those laws were only passed from September 2009 on,” she said.

“I call on the government to stop its posturing on law and order and instead put more effort into sensible interventions and programs,” she said. 
 

1. See Media Statement of Attorney General and Minister for Police 17 February 2010 at page 2: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=133135&
2. See http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_yrbyyrsall_y2009.... which shows Act 21 (mandatory sentencing for assaults on certain public officers) passed in September 2009, Act 23 (hoons) passed in October 2009, Act 26 (graffiti) passed in November 2009, and Acts 34 (weapons), 43 (arson) and 44 (rockthrowing) passed in December 2009

For further comment, contact Giz Watson on 08 9201 0582, Mobile: 0414 837 753