MOREE Mayor Katrina Humphries has called for the NSW government to address major crime issues in regional areas in tomorrow’s state budget.
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Describing local police as under resourced and crime fighting legislation in need of an overhaul, she has urged the government to make urgent changes and funding commitments before community members were hurt.
Speaking ahead of the budget announcements, Cr Humphries said local police in Moree were under re- sourced and believed political figures should make moves to get more police out to the bush.
“Our judicial system needs a big overhaul, a major overhaul,” She said.
“I believe there is a lot of legislation that needs to be changed, because the innocent are not protected and the criminals are, and this needs to stop.”
Speaking about a growing epidemic of illegal motorcycle activity in the area, Cr Humphries believes local police were powerless when it came to stopping Moree youth on stolen bikes.
“We have a problem with young people riding motorbikes illegally, without a helmet, unregistered, uninsured and unlicensed – it’s a trifecta,” she said.
“Policing legislation has prohibited these kids from being chased by local police. They need to be caught.
“Their bikes should not only be confiscated, I’d like them to be pulled down and sold for spare parts.”
Cr Humphries said concerned community members had approached her about the growing problem and she was worried the issue will escalate and someone would be hurt.
In addition to law and order issues within the city, she hoped a further commitment to roads would be announced for the Moree shire tomorrow, with more than 2000km of unsealed gravel roads requiring urgent upgrades in the area.
