1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: We have been talking in recent weeks and months about 2 00:00:03,560 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 1: some of the issues with crime in Alice Springs, and 3 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: I think you'd have to say that the issue really 4 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: reached fever pitch on Friday last week when we learned 5 00:00:12,480 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: that a man was seriously injured after being hit by 6 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: a vehicle which was allegedly stolen by a number of 7 00:00:20,079 --> 00:00:20,680 Speaker 1: young people. 8 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 2: Now we know that. 9 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: There's plenty of residents in Alice Springs who are really 10 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: very concerned about the situation. We've spoken on numerous occasions 11 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:30,880 Speaker 1: to Robin Lamley. We've also spoken to Bill Yan, one 12 00:00:30,920 --> 00:00:33,479 Speaker 1: of the other members down there in Alice, and to 13 00:00:33,600 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: Josh Burgoyne on a few occasions about some of the 14 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: concerns from locals. Now joining me on the line right 15 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:42,640 Speaker 1: now is one of those locals, Greg Neck. 16 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:43,599 Speaker 2: Good morning to you. 17 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 3: Greg, Good morning Katie. 18 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:48,320 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now, Greg, 19 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 1: I do want to say first that I know that 20 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: that last week the community of Alice Springs well joined 21 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: together to farewell your father, Murray Neck, who was really 22 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: a pie here in Alice Springs. 23 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 3: Yes, unfortunately that time was up and we're very sad 24 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:11,480 Speaker 3: to see that we're lead him to rest last last Monday. 25 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 3: So yeah, no, it's that there was certainly a respected 26 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 3: member of the community, and he is well liked, and 27 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 3: he was a gentleman and we loved him heaps, but 28 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 3: unfortunately his time was up. 29 00:01:26,120 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm very sorry to hear that, and I know 30 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 1: that you know, so many residents of Alice Springs and 31 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:35,400 Speaker 1: even further Afield were there to pay their respects and 32 00:01:36,200 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 1: certainly remember your your father fondly as a well respected 33 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:42,160 Speaker 1: member of the community and businessman. 34 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 2: Unfortunately, Greg, he's passing. 35 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: Well. There's been a lot of issues with crime in 36 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: Alice and and your family certainly have have have felt 37 00:01:56,160 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 1: the impacts of some of those issues with crime. Can 38 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: you talk us through some of the events that have 39 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: unfolded in the last couple of weeks. 40 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 3: Sure, Katy. Look, you know, I guess everyone's heard about 41 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 3: the problems we've had down here, and we laid Dad 42 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 3: to rest last Monday, and unfortunately his house got broken 43 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:18,040 Speaker 3: into three days later. So while it was you know, 44 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 3: it was concerning and disappointing, but look, it's only one 45 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 3: of hundreds of houses that have been broken into. And 46 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 3: now I think we we sort of copted it on 47 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 3: the chin. A little bit, but it's something that I 48 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:33,640 Speaker 3: think a lot of locals have come to. It's just 49 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 3: part of normal every day living here in other Springs. 50 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 3: It's just it's just absolutely crazy. And now I've lived 51 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 3: here for sixty six years and you know, I absolutely 52 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 3: love the place. I still love love Alice, but this 53 00:02:46,880 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 3: is the worst I've seen it. And it's been building 54 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 3: up over a number of years. Number of factors contributing 55 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 3: to it, but I think just just to break and 56 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 3: entry into residencial and commercial. The property damage, both the residential, 57 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 3: residential and commercial, the number of vehicles stolen is just 58 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 3: crazy at the moment. And of course last Friday we 59 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 3: saw a terrible accident at one of the main intersections 60 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 3: here in Alice where the victim is down in Adelaide 61 00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:20,960 Speaker 3: in the Royal Adelaide Hospital and in a critical condition. 62 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 3: The antisocial behavior here and Alice Springs is just terrible 63 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 3: and over turn looks terrible. It's just it looks messy. 64 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 3: It's the topic of conversation wherever you meet someone, whether 65 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:37,760 Speaker 3: you're doing shopping or you're down the street or ourt 66 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 3: playing golf, everyone talks about this problem and Alice Springs 67 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 3: and it just keeps going on from day to day, 68 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 3: it gets worse and worse, and yeah, nothing happening. 69 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:50,760 Speaker 2: Great, it sounds like it's been terrible. 70 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: I mean, just to go back to the fact that 71 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:57,839 Speaker 1: your dad's house was broken into three days after his farewell, 72 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: the people who broke in realize that he'd passed away. 73 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 3: Look, I'm not I'm not sure, Katie. I think these, 74 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 3: you know, the troublemakers or the groups that are involved, 75 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:16,040 Speaker 3: they're pretty well organized, you know. I reckon they're into 76 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:20,919 Speaker 3: different groups. They suss out the places, you know, in 77 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 3: different streets and different areas, and then they target these 78 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 3: these houses. They must know that either someone's left the 79 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 3: house or someone's out of town. But certainly I feel 80 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 3: they knew that Dad's house had been vacated, and fortunately 81 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:43,400 Speaker 3: they didn't get into the house, and they had his 82 00:04:43,760 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 3: main window to his door broken. And we've got a 83 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 3: lovely policewoman that lived next door. She heard the noise 84 00:04:50,400 --> 00:04:53,240 Speaker 3: and across the road there's a group of young, young 85 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 3: adults staying and they came out of the house and 86 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 3: saw the perpetrators running down the street. So we were 87 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 3: probably fortunately they didn't get into the house and do 88 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 3: a lot of damage. But you know, they're certainly well organized, 89 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 3: they know what they're doing, and they just target one 90 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 3: house after the other. 91 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:17,360 Speaker 2: Bloody hell. I mean, it sounds terrible, but it sounds terrible. 92 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 1: You said, you've lived there for sixty six years and 93 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:21,920 Speaker 1: you've never seen it so bad. I mean, I think 94 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: there's a lot of people listening who if they haven't 95 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 1: lived in Alice Springs, they've certainly been there. 96 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 2: And really, you know, I think of Alice Springs in 97 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 2: such a fond way. I love Alice. I did live there. 98 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:34,440 Speaker 2: I met my husband there. 99 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 1: It's a place that holds lots of happy memories for me, 100 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:40,039 Speaker 1: and I feel really disappointed that it has reached the 101 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: point that it sounds as though it's reached. 102 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 3: Yeah. Look, I think a lot of the locals that 103 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 3: have lived here, and they're predominantly the ones I talk 104 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 3: to there, they've just had enough of it. They don't 105 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:54,479 Speaker 3: want to vacate Ola Springs. They loved Alas Springs. A 106 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 3: lot of them, their kids are still here that some 107 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 3: of the have got grandkids here. They love the community. 108 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:03,400 Speaker 3: And but there's certainly talk of some people, some of 109 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 3: our friends, that have enough they're just going to pack 110 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 3: up and leave and heads south, and we need these 111 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,359 Speaker 3: people in the community. No there, they're the lifeblood of 112 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,280 Speaker 3: our community. They you know, the kids are here that 113 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 3: brought their kids up, The kids are involved in work 114 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 3: and you know they want to stay with their kids. 115 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 3: But I think the kids are getting sick of it 116 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 3: as well. You know, these these young guys that are 117 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:26,719 Speaker 3: involved in their own businesses. That windows are getting broken, 118 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 3: the cars are getting stolen, their cars are getting damaged, 119 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 3: the tools are getting stolen out of their vehicles. Look, 120 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,720 Speaker 3: it's just it's just crazy. Now. I think to Darwin 121 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 3: and I hate to say this, but I think to 122 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,720 Speaker 3: a lot of Darwinites it's out of sight, out of mind. Yea. 123 00:06:42,720 --> 00:06:45,479 Speaker 3: You know the government. I know that people have been 124 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 3: talking to the government, but just nothing's happening. And you know, 125 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 3: we're really buggered here with police. We don't have enough 126 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:55,159 Speaker 3: police here. And I don't care what any of the 127 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 3: ministers say, we do not have enough police. Now they 128 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 3: say they're put in ten twenty leaves because they're sick 129 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:04,039 Speaker 3: of the situation as well. They you know, they're picking 130 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:06,320 Speaker 3: up the same people and you know, they go to 131 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 3: a court and they're out the next day. Into the 132 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 3: same Yeah, the same thing. You know, there's not one 133 00:07:11,360 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 3: traffic car. You never see a traffic police car on 134 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 3: the road. You know, they're at the they're at the 135 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:20,680 Speaker 3: liquor outlets. You part the in lick outlets. We haven't 136 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 3: had any random breath tests here for god knows how long. 137 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 3: So there's clearly not enough police on the ground to you. 138 00:07:28,040 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 1: Oh, and you feel for them, you know, I've seen 139 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: some of the graffiti that said that said if the 140 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:34,679 Speaker 1: police and you think, goodness, may you know what hope 141 00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: of the poor police have you know, struggled for them? 142 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is looking at it was it was on 143 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:44,239 Speaker 3: one of our properties. You know. I painted some damage 144 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 3: that was done to one of one of our properties 145 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 3: on Sunday, Sunday morning and afternoon, and then Monday morning 146 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 3: I'll get a call to say, look, there's graffiti on 147 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 3: your on one of your main waves. Is on one 148 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 3: of the main streets as well, right near the intersection 149 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 3: where the accident and happen. And here I do, I'll 150 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 3: have to go out and paint this. But look that 151 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 3: happens all the time. 152 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: And I'm yeah, well, which is bloody, you know, absolute 153 00:08:10,280 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: garbage to be getting used to the fact that your 154 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 1: walls are being graffiti to be getting used to the 155 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 1: fact that cars are being stolen and people are being 156 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 1: broken into. Look, Greg, we you know, we try our 157 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: best to make sure that we cover the issues that 158 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 1: impact all territories, you know, whether it's Alice Springs, whether 159 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: it's Man and Greta, no matter where it is, we 160 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 1: try our best to do that. 161 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 2: So we will continue on with this. 162 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 1: We'll have the week that was on Friday where we've 163 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 1: got all the politicians in here and we'll make sure 164 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:39,079 Speaker 1: that this gets raised. I really appreciate you having a 165 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,640 Speaker 1: chat with us this morning and really making it clear 166 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 1: to everybody in Darwin how things are going for Alice 167 00:08:44,080 --> 00:08:44,960 Speaker 1: Springs residents. 168 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 3: Well, thank you, Katie. Look, we need we need all 169 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:51,400 Speaker 3: the help we can get. Yeah, it's a tough time 170 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 3: for us as a family and we just you know, 171 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:59,200 Speaker 3: I know how much dad loved the town and it's 172 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:01,200 Speaker 3: just really really sad to see what's happening. 173 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:04,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, I bet, Greg, thank you so much for talking 174 00:09:04,559 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: with us today. 175 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:07,280 Speaker 2: We really appreciate it. Thank you. 176 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: Thanks that is Greg Neck there and just hearing a 177 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: little bit more about the situation in Alice. It is 178 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 1: absolutely disappointing. You feel for the residents of Alice Springs. 179 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: I think that we've got to be really cautious up 180 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,440 Speaker 1: here in the territory, particularly here in the top end. 181 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 1: You know, we know what it's like to be impacted 182 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 1: by these kinds of issues, and I feel for everybody 183 00:09:29,559 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: that lives in Alice at the moment. We'll try our 184 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:32,959 Speaker 1: best to keep on to this issue.