Measure 2: Law and Order
2.1 Alcohol, Drugs and Pornography
Prior to the NTER it had been noticed that use of alcohol within the community had changed. The community has been a designated dry community for many years however alcohol was still brought in by community members. When we first arrived at the community there seemed to be instances of “binge” drinking when large amounts of alcohol would arrive in the community, be consumed and incidents of reckless driving and domestic violence followed. Over the past five years, prior to the NTER, people seemed to have learnt responsible drinking habits. Although alcohol still arrives in the community it seems to be shared by more people and far fewer incidents of reckless driving and domestic violence in relation to alcohol occur. Irresponsible behavior was managed by community members. When the NTER blanket restrictions came in force, community members asked the CEO where legal drinking could occur and he had to explain they had no available avenue. Even in Alice Springs there is no venue for alcohol drinking as it is prohibited in public areas, public housing and there does not seem to be any licensed premises that Indigenous people from communities feel comfortable drinking in. Since the NTER restrictions larger quantities of alcohol have entered the community, there have been two alcohol related deaths in the region and drinking seems to occur more often for longer periods of time.
It appears that marijuana use is also increasing. Younger men seem to be congregating with the known Indigenous community men who are long term users of marijuana. Women including teenagers and young mothers are admitting to marijuana use and interestingly some “older” women, grandmothers, (who are only in their late thirties and forties) also admit using marijuana.
I wonder if this increased use is due to the feelings of powerlessness many Indigenous community members feel with the increasing demands placed upon them by all levels of government.
2.2 Increased police presence in communities
There has been no police presence in this community for many years. A cross border police station was established in the past two years and this has resulted in more frequent visits to the community by police. This has increased awareness among community members about the need for gun licenses, driver’s licenses, reasonable cars and safe driving practices however we still have a long way to go. The NTER has not offered this community anything in the way of extra police. It can also be argued that without police community members take initiative and manage antisocial behavior themselves, sometimes with the guidance and assistance of non-Indigenous staff. Petty vandalism and break ins are generally managed by the community and the police work much more as a reinforcement and back up to community measures. The visiting police we have, have been excellent and in the last couple of years have always responded when called. Conversely the community makes a judgment about whether they want the police to respond immediately or just have them follow up incidents on their scheduled visits, approximately once a fortnight. It is debatable that if there were an increased police presence then the community would not feel the same sense of community responsibility to follow up incidents and instead expect police to intervene.
2.3 National Indigenous Intelligence Taskforce
2.4 Child Abuse Desk
2.5 Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Services
2.6 Expansion of NT Night Patrol Services
It is difficult to clarify the duties of night patrol and presumably it plays a similar role to neighborhood watch in mainstream Australia. Unfortunately in this one community it has been set up and gone defunct several times. Generally it has been set up at the urging of an “outsider”, usually white, to the community. A vehicle is supplied to a community member, who has no way of maintaining control of the vehicle and keeping it safe. The community member is subject to the same obligations of friendship and kinship all people have and in the remote Indigenous community setting the community member may not be able to refuse another person using and abusing the vehicle. Presumably the vehicle is supplied to patrol streets, however community members do not have powers to apprehend people and should not be expected to intervene in violent situations. High expectations are placed upon night patrols which in this community have proven difficult to fulfill and thus the service has not ever operated appropriately in the last five years. However I would argue that there is an unacknowledged night patrol system already operating amongst community people as they watch out for each other, negotiate in family disputes and ensure that children are safe. This needs to be acknowledged rather than imposing another service upon people.
2.7 Additional legal Services for Indigenous Australians