Moncrieff Media
Hundreds sign petition to curb burglaries in the suburbs
13 May 2010
A spate of break-and-enters in Ashmore and Benowa has prompted local MP Steven Ciobo to call on the State Government to beef up police patrols.
More than 500 Gold Coast residents have signed a petition in support of Mr Ciobo’s bid to step up police patrols in the areas.
"In recent weeks, several residents have reported being broken into repeatedly, some as much as three times," Mr Ciobo said.
"I’m calling on the Minister for Police, Neil Roberts, to step up police patrols in our area and clamp down on crime.
"I am appealing to Mr Roberts as the person with the power to act, to take this issue seriously and increase the police presence on the Gold Coast.
"In 2002 I successfully campaigned for an increase in police numbers to combat rising crime, and with the support of the Gold Coast community we secured an additional 69 police.
"During this campaign, the Gold Coast faced one of the highest crime rates in Queensland.
"Unfortunately, despite a 3 per cent drop in crime for the State, the latest statistics from Queensland Police showed the Gold Coast still recorded more crime than any other region in Queensland, including drug offences, car thefts and armed robberies."
In 2010 Mr Ciobo has surveyed more than 60,000 Gold Coasters regarding issues in the community and more than 90 per cent of respondents support the call for an increased presence on the Gold Coast.