Alice Springs Youth Curfew Extended by 6 Nights Due to Recent Surge in Crime
Valid reasons for entering town include employment and medical emergencies.
The Northern Territory Labor government in Australia has extended a youth curfew in Alice Springs by six days until April 16.
Young people under the age of 18 are unable to enter the town centre between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. without a valid reason.
These reasons include medical emergencies, travelling to work, gaining access to a youth service, or if they are accompanied by a “responsible adult.”
The curfew was initially put in place in late March due to a series of violent incidents and unrest in the city, following the death of a teenager in a car crash involving a stolen car.
Alice Springs Declares Emergency
The government extended the measure following advice from the Territory Emergency Management Committee.
While initially set to expire on April 10, the government decided to extend it.
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The Labor government declared an “emergency situation” in Alice Springs on March 27, and announced an initial 14-day curfew which included Easter and the school holidays.
At the time, the Territory government stated that the unrest in the city was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
The government reported positive outcomes following the implementation of the youth curfew and revealed plans for increased collaboration between police and government departments.
On April 9, Labor Chief Minister Eva Lawler remarked that the curfew was proving effective as a temporary measure.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining the progress achieved and ensuring ongoing support from police, Territory Families, and the Department of Education.
She emphasized a practical approach to enhancing community safety in Alice Springs. Meanwhile, the Opposition Country Liberal Party called for an extension of the curfew until the end of April.
Police Minister Brent Potter highlighted the close coordination between police, Territory Families, and other agencies, which would continue post-curfew.
Following the initial curfew announcement, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) Deputy Chief Executive Leeanne Caton criticized the intervention as a reactionary response.
Opposition Says Locals Are Leaving
“Today we’ve called on Eva Lawler to extend the Alice Springs curfew until the end of April, ensure that breaching the curfew carries consequences, and have an uninterrupted police presence at bottle shops,” she said.
In a video shared on Facebook, Ms. Finocchiaro highlighted that Territorians are fearful and leaving the area.
“People are feeling unsafe and uncertain about their future here, leading them to leave,” she remarked.
The Country Liberal Party leader emphasized the importance of law and order in building a strong community and economy.
The Territory government deployed an additional 50 police officers in Alice Springs when the emergency declaration was made in late March.
Youth under 18 years old were notified that if found in the city without a valid reason after 6 p.m. or before 6 a.m., they would be escorted home or to a safe location.
Ms. Lawler stated at the time, “Enough is enough. I have heard the community, and my government is taking action. Residents and businesses in Alice Springs deserve our full support during this time, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson expressed his support for the curfew, although he lamented the circumstances leading to its enforcement.
“It’s a recognition of a community pushed to its limits,” he remarked.
“This Council has been advocating for change for a long time, and it’s disheartening to see things reach this point. The recent events in our community are truly distressing…”
