LOCAL business owner Steve Rainbow has questioned a crime prevention policy released prior to the State Election to help safeguard small businesses.
The $40 million Secure Communities Partnership Program, unveiled by the LNP, is aimed to combat rises in shop break-ins and insurance costs, by funding critical safety measures to deter crime from shopping precincts and commercial zones, including CCTV, safety lighting and alarm systems.
The past year has seen a 133% increase in shop break-ins, and insurance costs have risen 14.2%.
Articulate Framing owner Steve Rainbow understands more than most the impact of crime on local business, having dealt with crimes committed at his store and personal residence earlier this year.
He told Local Ipswich News that he had not been visited by either side of the political aisle during the campaign and saw the LNP policy as very weak.
“We still have some scum on the streets and a few nutters, no police but I run the locked door policy still and that works for me,” he said.
“The issue with this policy is now they (LNP) are in, they will ‘open’ the books’ and basically there will be no money to do anything but cutbacks.
“In terms of the police force, they have been employing the wrong people.
“It is a tough, unforgiving and thankless job with a high danger to it.
“We need more police, more money into police resources, stop wasting it on programmes and feel-good projects.
“The emphasis on youth and child safety is a waste of resources, they need to address the way they are raised and schooled.”
