A week full of crime?
Keep Reading to find out when the upcoming “week of crime” is…
a new bill?
Everyone welcome the newest addition to the legislation team the: Community Safety Bill 2024!
This bill enables a series of significant legal changes designed to tackle knife crime and bolster community safety. If you’re wondering how this impacts your daily life, here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and why it matters.
Jack's Law: What is it?
Photo by Adelin Preda on Unsplash
Jack's Law, initially enacted to address the tragic stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley in 2019, is getting a major boost.
Originally focused on safe night precincts, the law now extends to shopping centers, entertainment venues, and public transport throughout Queensland.
This expansion aims to combat knife crime with a mix of high-tech solutions and old-school policing.
Imagine this: you’re at a bustling shopping mall or enjoying a night out, and Queensland police, equipped with handheld metal detectors, are conducting random checks. It’s not an invasion of privacy but a proactive measure designed to deter those carrying weapons.
Photo by Pierre Herman on Unsplash
The New Powers and Their Reach
With these updated laws, police now have the authority to randomly stop and search individuals without a warrant at various high-traffic areas, including:
Shopping Centers: Ever thought of a mall as a hotspot for crime? Under the new laws, it’s becoming a safer zone.
Entertainment Venues: From sports stadiums to concert halls, expect increased security to keep things safe and enjoyable.
Public Transport: Whether you’re on the Gold Coast Light Rail or a busy train, random checks aim to prevent potential threats on your daily commute.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Massingham describes this as a significant step but assures it’s done with the utmost respect for privacy.
The Impact and the Bigger Picture
Photo by Harry Shelton on Unsplash
The new measures introduced in this bill are more than just random checks. They come with increased penalties for unlawfully carrying knives, a more robust approach to weapon licensing, and even a new Firearms Prohibition Order scheme.
In addition, a range of other reforms are in play:
Maximum jail time for carrying a knife has increased—18 months for a first offence and two years for a repeat offence.
Expanding a GPS ankle monitoring trial for some serious repeat young offenders as an alternative to detention to include more offences
Creating a framework for police to issue a take-down notice to social media networks to remove content depicting criminality
Read more about the Bill and it’s influence here!
Week of Crime?
I understand the title may have been misleading, but there is definitelty a week of crime… learning opportunities! If you have an interest in Criminal law or are currently studying Crime 1 or 2, there are some unmissable experiences coming up!
Mon 9 Sep - Careers Presentation and Q&A - In person N61_1.02 - 11am - 1pmMon 9 Sep - Careers Presentation and Q&A - online via teams - 11am - 1pm
Thu 12 Sep - Careers Presentation and Q&A - Gold Coast Moot Court, 11am - 12pm
Fri 13 Sep - Criminal Law Hypothetical - Court room 17, Brisbane Magistrates Court, 11am - 12pm
These do require registration to attend, however the events are completely free!!!! Register below now: