1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,679 Speaker 1: We know the situation in Alice Springs has been causing 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: concern again. Machette wielding youths arrested on Monday outside the hospital. 3 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:10,680 Speaker 1: On Friday there was a fight on the street in 4 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: broad daylight with people brandishing machetes. Now joining us on 5 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: the line is the Southern Commander for the Northern Territory Police, 6 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:23,120 Speaker 1: James Gray Spans. Good morning to your commander, Good. 7 00:00:22,960 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 2: Morning Katie, and good morning to your listeners. 8 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for your time. Now, tell me what 9 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: is the situation in terms of some of these issues 10 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:34,479 Speaker 1: that you've seen, I know outside the hospital earlier in 11 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:38,080 Speaker 1: the week and on Friday there was that the terrible 12 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 1: situation in broad daylight down the street. 13 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, the first point to make is that each 14 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 2: of these incidents is unrelated. Okay, the first one on Friday. 15 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 2: We understand that the drivers of that are local people 16 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 2: who are having a dispute over a death earlier in 17 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 2: the year up near Wycliffe. Well, so it's quite specific 18 00:00:57,720 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 2: that people are all known to each other and it's 19 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 2: targeted violence, which is completely unacceptable to play out in 20 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 2: public places. Police attended very rapidly with K nine all 21 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 2: the units that were available arrested a twenty one year 22 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:15,440 Speaker 2: old male who had caused significant harm to a fifty 23 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,200 Speaker 2: year old male victim. That twenty one year old male 24 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:22,600 Speaker 2: is still in custody and has been further remanded until April. 25 00:01:23,319 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 2: And we continue investigation reviewing CCTV and have made a 26 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:31,399 Speaker 2: number of other arrests in relation to that, a thirty 27 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 2: two year old male and two fifteen year old boys 28 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: as well, And our investigation continues, but also so that 29 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 2: our engagement with the people involved to understand what the 30 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: cause is of the issues that are playing out on 31 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,240 Speaker 2: the streets of Bella Springs and to try and nip 32 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 2: that in the butt on the other side of it too, I. 33 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,840 Speaker 1: Mean, bloody hell, like you know, having a machete on 34 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: the straight and then you know, we know that there 35 00:01:56,680 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: was a victim in that situation, but then hearing two 36 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: fifteen year olds are involved, like that is so concerning 37 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: in the sense that you've got adults, but then you've 38 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 1: got like these, you know, young people involved in extreme violence. 39 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,960 Speaker 2: Really concerning. And you know, then you see that incident 40 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 2: play out on Sunday at the Alice Springs Hospital, we 41 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 2: understand our initial indications are that's a youth peer motivated issue, 42 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,520 Speaker 2: so some use we're going past the hospital, saw someone 43 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 2: that they had a grudge with, and then that played 44 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:32,120 Speaker 2: out chasing a nineteen year old woman inside the Alice 45 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:36,440 Speaker 2: Springs Hospital emergency department and security having to respond with police. 46 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 2: We've arrested a number of people and continue to make 47 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 2: arrest in relation to that incident. And those ages have 48 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 2: ranged from fourteen up to nineteen. 49 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 1: So she was known to them and they've driven pass 50 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: they've seen her outside the hospital and thought, all, now's 51 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: our chance. 52 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:57,760 Speaker 2: Yes, exactly right, a chance encounter. But as youth that 53 00:02:57,880 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 2: don't like each other, who then resort to that violence 54 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:07,000 Speaker 2: to you know, to settle whatever grudges between them, And 55 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 2: the message is clear here from police, regardless of your 56 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:14,760 Speaker 2: age or the underlying feud, playing their sort of violets 57 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 2: out on the streets is completely unacceptable. If you go 58 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 2: I'm in public, you're going to be well in some 59 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 2: of these cases going to Jaalin and appearing in courts 60 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 2: later on, Comander. 61 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: Tell us, you know, have you had to surge up 62 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:29,519 Speaker 1: in terms of additional police in Alice Springs or anything 63 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:32,119 Speaker 1: to deal with these issues, or have you been able 64 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: to manage with you know, the resources that you've got no. 65 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 2: So we've just come off the back of a really 66 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 2: high tempo summer operation, Operation Ludlow, which played out across 67 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 2: regional remote operations and Catherine in Tan and Alice Springs. 68 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 2: We all had dedicated Social order teams DAN and Alice Springs. 69 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 2: For example, over the last ten year weeks every weekend 70 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 2: we had a handheld scanning authority. We scanned two five 71 00:03:56,280 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 2: hundred and twenty four people. We only got six weapons 72 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 2: six odd weapons in those operations. Noting that there's a 73 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 2: difference between people who carry knives around when they or 74 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 2: other restricted weapons when they shouldn't, as opposed to people 75 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 2: who go intentionally around in vehicles and others because they 76 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,720 Speaker 2: think they might see someone that they don't like. We 77 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 2: appreciate that sort of difference, but we're out there proactively 78 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: scanning people and using all the tools that we've got 79 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 2: to reduce the instances of violence. And those Social order 80 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:31,279 Speaker 2: teams in Alice Springs continue as the community safety and 81 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 2: engagement team. So we've got dedicated teams every weekend on 82 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 2: top of the front line support, on top of Viper 83 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,279 Speaker 2: and on top of Canine. So no boots on the ground. 84 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 2: We're really good down here in Alice Springs at the moment. 85 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,520 Speaker 2: It's just these issues where people take it upon themselves 86 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: that front of mine for them is resorting to armed 87 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:53,599 Speaker 2: violence on the streets of Alice Springs. Will continue to 88 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:55,680 Speaker 2: respond and will continue to make arrest. 89 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,280 Speaker 1: Well, it's just crazy, it's so unacceptable. And then when 90 00:04:58,279 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: you see, you know, the machete, the size of these 91 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 1: weapons is quite unbelievable. 92 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:09,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I think we've seen a range of weapons. 93 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,600 Speaker 2: So we'll be out on the we'll be out and 94 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 2: about in sort of the high public use spaces. You'll 95 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:19,039 Speaker 2: see the Community Safety Engagement Team officers. They wear the 96 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 2: high visibility shirts, so you know, we disrupt. We just wade. 97 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:27,160 Speaker 2: We're getting out there. We're doing the handheld scanning authorities 98 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 2: and we've got the drone on board, we've got CCTV. 99 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,680 Speaker 2: When these incidents pop up, we're straight onto it. We 100 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 2: make the arrests, and in the background, then we continue 101 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:38,599 Speaker 2: to sort of the community engagement, using our liaison officers 102 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: to get out in the community and again try and 103 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,119 Speaker 2: tell people that this behavior is completely unacceptable and whatever 104 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,400 Speaker 2: grudge they've got, it can't play out with violence on 105 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:49,039 Speaker 2: the street to Dulla Springs, but we need people to 106 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: comply with those with that engagement as well. 107 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 1: Commander, I know there've been sort of some people saying 108 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 1: that there was less place on the ground, or that 109 00:05:57,480 --> 00:06:00,280 Speaker 1: the operation had finished, or you know that people being 110 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 1: those police officers were being deployed elsewhere due to community violence. 111 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: I mean, what do you say to anybody listening this 112 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: morning in Alice that doesn't feel there's enough police on 113 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: the ground or feel as though they've maybe been deployed elsewhere. 114 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,120 Speaker 2: Well, again, you know that it's really good to get 115 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 2: that feedback. But I can tell you that the Community 116 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:22,919 Speaker 2: Safety Engagement Team will be out and about. The Team 117 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:26,600 Speaker 2: one is working night shifts from tonight right through to 118 00:06:26,760 --> 00:06:29,599 Speaker 2: the weekend. Team two is backing them up. They're in 119 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:31,799 Speaker 2: a day shift today on their training day, but again 120 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 2: they've got their early nights and evening shifts as well, 121 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 2: so we've actually got an overlap this weekend of the 122 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: Community Safety Engagement Team with their dedicated drone support. And 123 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 2: on top of everything else, we try and be everywhere, 124 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 2: and we try and as much as possible make sure 125 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: that people feel safe. But know that if you're in 126 00:06:48,520 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 2: Alice Springs. We've got the resources out there, and testament 127 00:06:51,839 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 2: to that is even over these multiple incidents that occurred 128 00:06:54,560 --> 00:06:58,040 Speaker 2: after a busy week of emergency management, we can do 129 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:00,960 Speaker 2: both things and if these think occur, will be out there, 130 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 2: we'll be making the arrest and we'll be keeping people safe. 131 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:05,400 Speaker 1: Commander, just on that last time you and I spoke 132 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: was around this time last week or the day later, 133 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: maybe six days ago, in relation to the flooding in 134 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: Alice Springs. How are things tracking since that flooding? You 135 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: know how extensive was some of the damage. 136 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, so no real updates from last time we spoke. 137 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,920 Speaker 2: We saw the residents impacted up North Stuart Highway around 138 00:07:22,960 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 2: the Dixon Road area. That was mainly sort of low 139 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 2: level inundation. Down in South Terrace and Leichhart Terrace at 140 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:31,280 Speaker 2: the bottom end of town near the round about there. 141 00:07:31,320 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 2: We did have some community living areas, businesses and residents 142 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 2: impacted with more significant inundation, so mud over the floors 143 00:07:38,200 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 2: and things like that. In the town area. Alice Springstown 144 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 2: Council did an amazing job in cleaning up all the 145 00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 2: highways and byways and crossings and they're all open, so 146 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 2: las returned to normal and alice springs and we avoided 147 00:07:52,080 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 2: both tragedy and the rescues, but also in severe inundation 148 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 2: with some of the properties that were affected. The team, 149 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 2: the local emergency can MIDI or a local emergency controller 150 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: got together with a bomb yesterday just to get an update. 151 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 2: I think we're getting some of your top end tropical 152 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 2: moisture come down through the Gulf later on this week. 153 00:08:10,560 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 2: And that's again in a monitoring phase because if you 154 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 2: walk past the Todd River at the moment, we still 155 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 2: got water pooling and patches, but a local emergency controller 156 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 2: will continue talking to the bomb and the water monitors 157 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 2: here locally to see what that looks like leading into 158 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 2: the weekend. 159 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, good stuff, and obviously people wanting to avoid any 160 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: further concern or damage. Hey, really quick one before I 161 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: let you go. We know that today an additional alcohol 162 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 1: restriction coming into place. Well you know you can't get 163 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,559 Speaker 1: a heavy strength beer in the pub unless you sit 164 00:08:40,679 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 1: down with a knife and fork. I'm told to have 165 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: a meal. Will this help police in some way? 166 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:49,679 Speaker 2: Yeah? Well, it is very specific and data driven and 167 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 2: came as a result of other businesses expressing concerns on Wednesday, 168 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 2: Thursdays and Fridays during the afternoon the impacts on their businesses. 169 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 2: I did and to other views when I was talking 170 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 2: to the ABC yesterday and appreciate the impact on businesses 171 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 2: around training and the fact that something that is specific 172 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 2: and evidence based for a specific problem then creates that 173 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:14,839 Speaker 2: those issues for businesses to then enforce. But look, I 174 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 2: think it really starts a conversation around well, for the venues, 175 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 2: especially close to the CBD, how is that mix of venues, 176 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 2: and then the other businesses, how do they get along 177 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 2: and does this start that conversation with how does everyone 178 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 2: sort of contribute to real positive social amenity in town. 179 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:34,440 Speaker 1: Well, James Grace Bence, it is good to speak with 180 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: you this morning, Commander of the Southern Region. Thank you 181 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 1: very much for having a quick chat with us. 182 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:40,680 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, thank you