Gold Coast Crime Analysis Report

This assignment requires an analysis of crime statistics on the Gold Coast in 2018, with a particular emphasis on firearm-related offenses. It includes access to various news articles and statistical data from sources like the Brisbane Times, Gold Coast Bulletin, Courier Mail, and ABC News. The goal is to identify concerning trends in gun violence on the Gold Coast and explore the issue through the lens of provided news reports and statistics.

GOLD COAST CRIME

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Gold Coast is a city which is situated in Queensland, Australia and is famous for its
beautiful beaches as well as hotels. It is also a popular tourist destination among tourists who are
visiting Australia. The climate of the city is very sunny subtropical and it is also coming into
eyes of tourists because of introduction of surfing on beach, dominated skyline, nightlife and
rainforests for which it is having its name as Australia's Hollywood (Mann, 2018). The city will
also be honoured by holding the upcoming Commonwealth Games of 2018 it is the major hub of
arts and culture of continent.
MAIN BODY
However, from the recent times, this city is in headlines not because of the art and culture
but due to the level and rate of crimes which have been gradually increasing in Gold Coast.
There are various different types of crimes which have been taking place within the city
disrespect of very strict police controlling. Gold Coast is witnessing majority of crimes within
city during the past 2-3 years like that of murder, assaults, police helicopter, operational
Seymour and gun crime. All the current media consideration has had a tendency to demonstrate
that there is not kidding wrongdoing issues on Gold Coast which is on top features of numerous
daily papers and news channels (Gold Coast the crime capital of Australia, 2018). The crime
which is among top of news stories are that of gun crimes which is seen on quite frequent basis
in the city.
1

Illustration 1: Weapons Act Offences.
[Source: Gold Coast crime statistics, 2018]
Under the Weapon Act there was about 69 and 114 offence during 2008 and 2012
which is according to Brisbane Times and per 100000 people. This record is highest in Gold
Coast as compared to other cities of country like that of Logan or Brisbane as it is clear in the
above graph (Gold Coast crime statistics. 2018). Police showed their concern in this increasing
rate of crime in Gold Coast which is especially in crimes which are related to weapon or drugs.
They said that there is need of tougher steps to be adopted in this reference so that rates of crime
within city is been crimp. Police is also having very good and dedicated team in the organisation
who is meant to chase offenders of crime. They also decided that they would be opening one
multi-purpose police facility worth $2.3 million till 2019; this will of guns, drugs and stolen cars.
According to Assistant Commissioner, Brain Codd, they will also be using more specialised
dogs squad in this multi-purpose facilities and named as hub-policing (Gold Coast’s new $2.3 m
police hub to house seized guns, drugs, 2018). As they open needed to see a greater amount of
policing on roads and regularly by receiving challenges and presenting adaptable activities.
Police of Gold Coast concluded that they would migrate all assets which they are having with
them yet not shutting the old police headquarters after presentation of centre policing.
2

The most recent one among all was that occurred on Monday afternoon of 8th January
2018 at Carrara which is a suburb at Gold Coast (Man shot at Carrara home on the Gold Coast,
2018). At the peak time of afternoon when the street was very quiet and everyone was on their
jobs and duties, a man was shot by gun outside his own home. Police suspected 3 men and 1
woman who were said to be involved in the crime. One of them was having a gun and other was
having metal pole in his hand; the victim had received severe injuries at his left arm and chest.
After this whole crime, location was sealed by the police who was supposed to do the
investigation and set up crime scene at particular address. One of the neighbour who was
interviewed by Gold Coast Bulletin said that he saw a green car which was on full speed and
passing through street when he had entered into (Cummings, Piquero & Accetturo, 2018).
Another incident took place just after the above gun shoot on 9th January at Arundel
where there was an endeavour of theft in place of Mr Schwalger was fizzled. At that point two
days after the fact on eleventh at a similar house on late night there was a terminating on
windows of Mr. Schwalger's home which scared entire family (Late night drive-by shooting in
suburban area, 2018). He suspected that the robbers who were not been able to do their work on
the prior night shooting episode returned request to get a shot of ransacking. In the examination,
obviously at around 9:25 pm close place of casualty there was dull shaded auto which was
stopped on less separation.
Police is not ready to accept the tile which several newspapers is given i.e., Crime capital
of Australia. Many of newspapers gave Gold Coast the name of ‘Crime capital of Australia’
which its police is not agreeing to the point. But on the same time, they agreed to the point that
wave of gun violence at Gold Coast is a matter of big concern as only 2 months are left for
Commonwealth Games (Police say wave of gun violence on Gold Coast a ‘concern’, 2018).
Mayer of city said that he would like to see more and more police at time of Commonwealth
Games so that they could assure strict safety of people and regain reputation of city. All the
shootings which took place within month of January were not at all connected to each other they
all were just done to target somebody rather irregular assaults as said by acting Inspector Matt
Ward of Surfers Paradise CIB. A considerable lot of the specialist in this field of wrongdoings
which are occurring often at city are reason for wild medication exchange city and this is
prompting genuine brutal violations.
3

In the year 2016, police of Gold Coast additionally found a firearm manufacturing plant
after their strike in city at that point police issued court orders for 4 private properties,
tranquillize labs, weapon industrial facility and 3D printer (Gun factory found in Gold Coast
police raids first of its kind in Queensland, 2018). During the searching of police they found 4
Uzi style guns, 2 handguns and 3 silencers with some type of drugs as well as steroids, cannabis
etc. But meanwhile in January 2017, Queensland police minister said that all reports which were
given to them had been manipulated in efforts to raise crime rates. Many sources also said that
police was unable to conduct proper investigations or make any arrest due to which many crimes
have been dismissed as well. This was also reported by the police about increase in number of
crime rates which is about 17% after the year 2016 which include crimes like that of assaults,
fraud, robbery and unlawful entry within city (Reports manipulated to mask rising Queensland crime
rates, police sources allege, 2018).
Outside Highland Park tavern at around 10:30 pm on January 22, 2018 when two women
were threatened by firearm by one man. All this was witnessed by two employees who were
coming from their office they saw a man who was wearing motorcycle helmet. They also further
delineated that suspect was wearing black jumper, trouser, shoes, gloves and motorcycle helmet
at that time and also was having athletic body (Armed Person, Highland Park, 2018). After
watching those two employees, that suspect ran away from the crime scene without harming
anyone there in the interim police is proceeding with their examination.
Another incident linked with armed robbery at South port, which took place at about 8:50
pm on 1st February 2018 in a service station. This case was under surveillance of Gold Coast
criminal investigation branch of South port (Armed Robbery, South port, 2018). The incident was
explained by one of the staff member of service center. On the street there were 4 men and they
all were carrying iron bar, knife and axes with them also attempted to look into cash register of
the service center. They were also threatening all staff of the center and then stolen cash;
thereafter, sat in grey car and ran away from crime scene. Police said that no one was injured or
physically harmed in the incident and investigation is continued by police.
It was also said in 2017 in government report of Australia that gun crime and Homicide
in nation is been declining over most recent 25 years that is rate is least. On January fourth 2018
on little girl murdered her mom's accomplice after he was manhandling her mom who was
4

experiencing malignancy (Woman on murder charge after partner shot dead in Gold Coast
home, 2018). She additionally said that her mom was infatuated with Mr. Morrison and she was
additionally casualty of aggressive behavior at home which at last prompt demise of 46 year old
man. In any case, in police examination they didn't found any circumstance of abusive behavior
at home in the house one weapon was found at t he wrongdoing scene and police speculated that
whether it was utilized as a part of occasion or not.
On account of a year ago where a lady was killed by her better half outside McDonald's
said that he was having permit of that firearm in the vicinity of 1992 and 1998. in any case, the
instance of aggressive behavior at home against him was filled in year 2013 and afterward he
killed his significant other in 2015 right now he was not having any authorized weapon under his
ownership. After the state government expanded Gun License Fee up to 124% with acquainting
on the web framework with pay the charge this made weapon proprietors and on the off chance
that they are shooters than to pay $94.55 in addition to $272 additional to shoot (New firearm
ownership figures show why there are fears about the Gold Coast becoming a gun capital,
2018).
This occurrence is of a year ago on morning of 27th November 2017 when a man having
weapon entered the road of Upper Coomera at around 10:30 am this man was endeavoring to
debilitate a lady who was known to him. The entire battle began following a 67 year old male
neighbor attempted to hinder in the middle of this episode and from that point that men fled far
from wrongdoing scene. At that point he stole auto when cops took care of catch the man police
after that additionally got report of stolen auto (Armed Man, Upper Coomera, 2018). Police
likewise assumed that this man undermined on 18 year old ladies and 16 year old man who were
driving auto with gun at Guy Court at Oxenford. In the mean time, the two travelers by one
means or another got away from their auto and that speculate drove the auto by his own
particular from Oxenford. In any case, police by introducing tire collapse gadget brought that
man into their authority from Tambourine and Oxenford street at around 11:30 am that day as it
were. After man was charged a few offenses like that of hazardous activities of auto, neglecting
to stop that vehicle, outfitted burglary, unlawful ownership of weapons, that of engine vehicle,
driving without permit and running all through city with having firearm. On November 28, he
5

showed up in South port Magistrates Court police likewise said that nobody was harmed in this
entire occurrence.
The cost of gun ranged from $1500 to $21000 according to their use or range to where
they could shoot. According to Crime statistics in 2016, it showed that number of weapons
offense including keeping of unlawful weapon and committing crime with that weapon raised to
656 from 391 in just 5 year span from 2010-15. President of Queensland Law Society, Bill Potts
said that he will not accept the proposal of gun culture which is similar to that of America as
crime will be increased. Rather he mentioned there is need of good licensing procedures and
follow up of the gun possession license after its expiration and at the time of due diligence when
the guns are at customs of border that of country.
As this becomes very much clear that people who are involved into the gun crime at Gold
Coast are majorly the one who are having license of gun with them. This also shows that they are
involved in domestic violence at their homes as seen in the case of where daughter murdered his
mother's boyfriend who was causing domestic violence. The aggressive behaviour of people of
Gold Coast are also one of the reasons as to why Gold Coast is been considered as Crime Capital
of Australia. As following the path of America Australia also started the law which was in favor
of public keeping guns without any fear or license. But as result of which gun crimes in Australia
increased over past two decades this lead to murderer and theft.
It was said by government that if any person is keeping guns with them they must be
having proper license of it. Also becomes important for that license holder to show genuine
reason for keeping a gun and should be a prohibited person. Each and every firearms are been
registered in Australia by serial numbers to owner of that gun. As after mass killing of about 35
people in 1996 by Martin Bryant. Prime Minister of Australia Mr. John Howard then introduced
National Firearms Agreement Act 1996. under which there will be very strict control of semi
automatic, fully automatic and pump action shotguns within whole country. There was only
permission to keep guns against personal protection and act included gun buy back provisions.
But still there is required to tighter restriction on gun ownership which majorly includes
compulsory requirement in showing genuine reason.
6

CONCLUSION
From all the above, it is clearly said that Gold Coast is becoming gun capital of country
as there were about 64000 weapons which were registered within city in 2016. many of the
police were not concerned with the increasing number of weapons within city but if those
weapons are causing any kind of domestic violence then they were worried (Gold Coast a 'crime
hot spot', data suggests. 2018). As emergency service source told to Gold Coast Bulletin that
there is increasing need of more enforcement of firearms regulation in Gold Coast.
All the areas of city need to be inspected regularly and areas must be under security then
the number of gun registration will be increased. With the increased in number of gun
registration. They also said that if anyone is having gun with them, also having some kind of
domestic violence then there ar chance of increasing mishap. In this regard, Senior Police of the
Weapon branch said that they are ensuring if any individual is possessing weapon or gun with
license must be checked on regular base that gun is been kept in proper safe.
7

REFERENCES
Books and Journal:
Cummings, A. R., Piquero, A. R., & Accetturo, P. W. (2018). Insights into the Nature and Spatial
Distribution of Guyanese Crime. Deviant Behavior. 39(1). 20-34.
Mann, E. (2018). Viewed from a Distance: Eighteenth-Century Images of Fortifications on the
Coast of West Africa. In Shadows of Empire in West Africa (pp. 107-136). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
Online:
Armed Man, Upper Coomera. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/goldcoast/2017/11/27/update-armed-man-upper-coomera/>.
Armed Person, Highland Park. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/goldcoast/2018/01/22/armed-person-highland-park/>.
Armed Robbery, Southport. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/goldcoast/2018/02/01/armed-robbery-southport-29/>.
Gold Coast 'the crime capital of Australia. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-21/gold-coast-becoming-crime-capital/2803830>.
Gold Coast a 'crime hot spot', data suggests. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/gold-coast-a-crime-hot-spot-data-
suggests-20130624-2osh7.html>
Gold Coast crime statistics. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/gold-coast-crime-statistics-
20130624-2oss9.html>
Gold Coast’s new $2.3m police hub to house seized guns, drugs. 2018. [Online]. Accessed
through: <http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/crime-court/23-million-multipurpose-
police-facility-at-arundel-by-2019/news-story/e3ef5d49b8741beaabc3b45aaf658806>.
Gun factory found in Gold Coast police raids first of its kind in Queensland. 2018. [Online].
Accessed through: <https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/gun-factory-
found-in-gold-coast-police-raids-first-of-its-kind-in-queensland-20161123-gsvwf9.html>.
8

Late night drive-by shooting in suburban area. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/crime-court/late-night-driveby-shooting-in-
suburban-area-of-gold-coast/news-story/87a743bc86c8b893fd1045aeda972c1e>.
Man shot at Carrara home on the Gold Coast. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/crime-court/man-shot-at-a-carrara-home-on-
the-gold-coast/news-story/b2ed23f602567a0d6a8e78240a7ff370>.
New firearm ownership figures show why there are fears about the Gold Coast becoming a gun
capital. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/crime-court/new-firearm-ownership-figures-
show-why-there-are-fears-about-the-gold-coast-becoming-a-gun-capital/news-story/
a61b27c3ec5f933fe38da7a323a35d31>.
Police say wave of gun violence on Gold Coast a ‘concern’. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/police-say-wave-of-gun-violence-on-
gold-coast-a-concern/news-story/928ffaf0c2e8e1753cd53d108b54f0b6>.
Reports manipulated to mask rising Queensland crime rates, police sources allege. 2018. [Online]. Accessed
through:<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-30/allegations-gold-coast-police-crime-
managers-manipulating-stats/8217550>.
Woman on murder charge after partner shot dead in Gold Coast home. 2018. [Online].
Accessed through: <http://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/crime/woman-on-
murder-charge-after-partner-shot-dead-in-gold-coast-home/news-story/
dd609031a8c0365fd68c94f00805c448>.
9