The Territory Labor Government is breaking the cycle of crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs through a comprehensive plan, which includes expanded hours with night patrol and youth drop-in centres now operating seven days a week.

The Tangentyere Council Brown Street Youth Drop-In Centre, The Gap Youth and Community Centre, and the Tangentyere Night Patrol previously only operated for five days a week. Both youth drop-in centres have also extended their bus services to ensure that young people get home safely.

New operating hours are:

• Tangentyere Night Patrol – Everyday 6pm to 3am
• Tangentyere Council Brown Street Youth Drop-In Centre – Sunday to Thursday 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Friday and Saturday 5:30pm to 12:00am
• The Gap Youth and Community Centre – Everyday 4pm to 10pm

The youth drop-in centres provide regular, safe, and structured activities for at-risk young people. Activities are all focused on health and well-being, positive socialisation, and educational activities. These include learning how to cook healthy meals, sports competitions, movie nights, overnight camps, computer skills development, music-making, writing and performing.

The Tangentyere Night Patrol helps get young people off the streets at night and also provide assistance to people sleeping rough.

Expanded hours for night patrols and youth drop-in centres, is part of the Territory Labor Government’s Breaking the Cycle plan to tackle youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Alice Springs.

Other initiatives include:

• Appoint seven Youth Engagement Night Officers (YENOs) to work seven days a week from 8pm-3am with young people who are on the street (and regularly involved in crime) and get them on a better path. YENOs will support NT Police, Territory Families and non-government youth services. A trial of the new service was conducted during the Easter school holidays. (In effect 28 June)
• More mobile CCTV cameras in anti-social behaviour hot spots. (Already in effect)
• Two School Engagement Officers to work with young people who have been identified as being disengaged from schooling. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
• Three School Compliance Officers to work with young people when attempts to increase school attendance has not been successful. These officers have been appointed. (Already in effect)
• Create an Aboriginal-led Youth Outreach Service. A team of senior, respected Aboriginal outreach workers will provide advice and support to youth engagement officers and mentor Aboriginal youth, drawing on the cultural authority of the Tangentyere Council Men’s Four Corners Group and Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group. (In effect 1 July)

Quotes from Minister for Territory Families, Dale Wakefield

“The Territory Labor Government is listening to Centralians who have had enough of crime, youth crime, and anti-social behaviour. The Breaking the Cycle plan gives us a better chance of breaking the cycle of crime and keeps Alice Springs safer.

“Investing in and supporting youth services is crucial to tackling youth crime and anti-social behaviour. Expanded hours at youth drop-in centres and the night patrol will ensure that at-risk young people are not on the streets at night, and instead engaging in positive activities and can be safely escorted home.

“This is in stark contrast to the chaotic CLP government who cut vital youth services in Alice Springs. They failed to implement any plan to fix alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets.”

Quotes from CEO of Gap Youth and Community Centre, Michelle Krauer

“The Gap is open from 4pm daily where young people have an opportunity to engage in positive activities. The most important thing about the centre is that young people know that the GAP is a safe place and that they can talk to staff about any concerns they have, or about opportunities they want to take up and we support them to achieve this.  We also provide a safe ride home for any young people who attend the centre.

“By having regular activities at the centre young people get a sense of belonging and know that we care.  All our activities are underpinned by an educational framework, it’s not just about literacy and numeracy, it’s about personal growth, expanding their knowledge, and creating opportunities.”

Quotes from Youth Services Coordinator, Brown Street Drop-in Centre, Robele Yishake

“As a result of the expanded hours at Brown Street, young people have the opportunity to engage in numerous programs including the healthy eating and cooking program, ‘Look After Yourself’. The program also provides young people with the opportunity to learn about hygiene and healthy relationships.

“The programs at Brown Street provide a foundation for young people to learn life skills that they can implement which results in increased confidence, motivation and social skills. The food cooking program incorporates cooking cultural Indigenous foods including damper and kangaroo tail stew. This part of the program recognises that cultural identity and connectedness is paramount in service delivery for young people who attend Brown Street.”

Quotes from Divisional Manager, Tangentyere Night Patrol, Maree Corbo

“The Tangentyere Night patrol service is a culturally safe service that works to keep the Alice Springs community safe.  The expanded hours will ensure that the service is able to transport people home or to a safe place, but most importantly offer support and provide safety for vulnerable people during the night.”

Media contact

Paige Nguyen
M: 0428 727 244
E: Paige.nguyen@nt.gov.au