Q & A with Tim Prenzler, pictured, Professor of Criminology School of Law & Society, University of the Sunshine Coast.

Prof Prenzler is one of four members of the UniSC’s research team involved in the Nambour Community Safety Research Project

Q: Do you think crime is a problem in Nambour compared to other Sunshine Coast towns?

A: “The police data we obtained for our study found that recorded crime rates in Nambour were generally lower than those in Caloundra and Maroochydore, and in fact the whole Sunshine Coast. They were also lower than those in the comparable towns of Bundaberg, Gympie and Maryborough; and lower than those for Queensland as a whole. However, the report does not downplay crime as a problem in Nambour, referring to ‘a substantial number and wide variety of types of victimisation’ in any year.”

Q: Can you explain the apparent discrepancy between the wider public’s perceptions of Nambour and the official crime statistics?

A: The crime data we used covered the whole Nambour Police Division. That’s a large area that includes the suburbs and surrounding localities. Crime as a social issue in Nambour appears to relate primarily to the central business district, and the police crime map does show that offences are concentrated in this area – although this is a normal profile for any town or city. Stage 2 of the Nambour Community Safety Review, now underway, will break down crime types and locations by making more detailed use of the police crime map. We are also running a public perceptions and experiences survey, and conducting stakeholder focus groups. These sources should all help to clarify these issues.

Q: Can you explain the apparent discrepancy between business people’s perceptions of CBD crime and the official crime statistics?

A: This might relate to the differences between what’s happening in the suburbs and what’s happening in the town centre.

Q: Do the public have reason to be sceptical of the crime stats, considering people are seeing unlawful activity happening before their eyes (eg drug deals, disorderly conduct).

A: Yes and no. Police statistics for property crimes like burglary and motor vehicle theft are good but much less reliable for more personal crimes like assault. The recording of drug offences and disorderly conduct offences involve a lot of discretion, so I can’t comment on the reliability of data in any specific location. Official data on disorderly conduct are usefully supplemented by systematic observation studies of the type we conducted in Phase 1 of the project, and these should be a standard part of any well-resourced public space crime prevention program. Surveys and focus groups, of the type we are running in Stage 2, are also useful. 

Q: Are there steps that can be taken to alleviate behaviour problems in the CBD — aggressive/erratic behaviour that is not strictly criminal but nevertheless intimidating?

A: We identified some efforts at visible foot patrols by police in Nambour in previous years that were favourably received but were stopped because of the deployment of officers to pandemic control duties. One of our main recommendations in the Stage 1 report was to increase guardianship through more police and/or security foot patrols, but with a welfare orientation and input from social services professionals.

Q: Should the drug treatment facilities be moved back to the Hospital?

A: Our study found that the facility generated concern amongst some people. We expect that Stage 2 of the study will shed more light on this issue. Ultimately, the question requires a response that is negotiated by the relevant parties, taking factors like client access and public tranquillity into account.

Q: Is it possible to summarise your report into some simple steps that should be implemented in Nambour? 

A: Our first recommendation was for more research to obtain a better picture of crime dimensions and public concerns with a view to designing tailor-made interventions that have the best prospect of being effective. That’s now happening with Stage 2. At the same time, we cited a diverse range of successful crime prevention case studies that could be adapted for use in Nambour. To my mind, the most likely successful approach will involve something along the lines of a Business Improvement District – or BID – program. It basically involves a long-term urban renewal process: improving amenities, landscaping and lighting; rapid removal of graffiti; attracting more activities and legitimate users of public spaces; and enhancing security; with stakeholder input and a management committee. Security officers out and about are usually a key part of the mix in BIDs. In addition, the Nambour Community Safety Review is related to the roll out of the Special Entertainment Precinct, so our report included suggestions to minimise public intoxication and alcohol-related crime. Examples include making sure attractive food and entertainment are available at venues, setting reasonable closing hours, accessible and safe public toilets, and readily available transport. There’s a lot more in the report so I recommend that anyone interested in the topic have a look. 

Q: Can you break that down in to short, medium and long term recommendations? 

A: Speaking for myself, in the short term I’m keen to see an experiment with security patrols – so long as they have that welfare focus. In the medium term, over the next couple of years, we need to work out and implement a comprehensive plan that is data-driven and has all stakeholders on board. That’s likely to include improvements to streetscapes and lighting, traffic calming, and utilisation of empty premises. Then, long-term, maintaining the program will be a challenge. There are lots of crime prevention programs on the record that were very successful initially but eventually fell apart.

Q: Would regular police foot patrols in the CBD help alleviate antisocial behaviour?

A: I certainly think so and the report includes examples from around the world. A centrally located police beat shopfront would probably need to be part of the mix. The patrol officers can be police, security officers or a mixture of both. They need to have special training and protocols need to be in place. The program has to be properly organised, resourced and managed in order to succeed.

How to provide feedback

To complete the  Nambour Community Safety Research Project Survey go to www.haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au before November 28 and search “Nambour Community Safety Research Project” or similar.

To see crime stats go to www.mypolice.qld.gov.au/queensland-crime-statistics

To see Stage 1 of the Nambour Community Safety Review, referred to in this story, go to www.research.usc.edu.au and search “Nambour safety” or similar.

To sign Reimagine Nambour’s Safety Petition go to www.facebook.com/iamnambour