Perth / Western Australia

There was a spike in offences committed in Midland in January which Snr Sgt Marriott said was in line with crime increases in shopping precincts at the start of school holidays. “To address this issue head-on Midland Police have partnered with breath and drug operations and mounted section to provide high visibility policing to deter offending behaviour,” he said.

So school holidays kick in and crime spikes, we all see the connection. Yet the only response Senior Sergeant Marriott is giving is of more visible force.

I think we could improve things more permanently by having regard to the root causes and implementing social services like family violence mediation and protections, but importantly to this article youth activity services and spaces for youth to spend their time.

And the police as they're often the first point of contact have to be involved, knowledgeable, and have a certain level of involvement with these "wrap-around" services.

Until these sorts of changes begin happening, (plus releases from any acute economic hardships for community members), the police can only offer a temporary and costly bandaid solution.

There is always an opportunity cost to these operations as well. Due to the attentions of so many police resources being focused on this issue time after time.

I want to note, i'm only criticising the police as far as they might not have thought to mention services they probably are already in contact and working with in the above statement. These services should be a part, and maybe are, of any policing operations like this.

As alwaus, great article from the Echo's Guanhao Cheng.