Car chase raises landholder safety concerns
ILFRACOMBE Senior Constable Kevin McDonald was quick to dispel landowners desires to arm themselves against unwanted intruders at a public meeting on Tuesday.
The informal personal safety meeting was called by Tonie Young of ‘Mernoo’ after an incident on her access road saw her sleeping with a gun under the bed.
On April 30, a 31-year-old unknown man, apparently looking for water for his car’s radiator, was talking to ‘roo shooters on the access road.
Within hours the news of a ‘dodgy character’ had made it around the property grapevine, causing worry not only to Mrs Young at home with four children but others in the immediate area.
They had good reason: by 6.45pm that evening the man was arrested after driving head-on into Snr Cnst McDonald’s police car during a brief chase.
Subsequent investigations resulted in three counts of stealing fuel, two of breaking and entering into Rockhampton properties and one each of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.
"I had no idea what was happening and was wondering whether the guy was looking for a place to hide out," Mrs Young.
"I was lying in bed really freaked out. I have got four kids, how am I going to grab them all and run?
"The meeting is a chance for us to learn about our rights.
"A lot of us have guns on our properties and I’m sure if it came down to it I would just shoot an intruder; anything to protect my kids."
During the meeting Snr Cnst McDonald quickly pointed out that last month’s incident was an isolated one, and while there was nothing stopping properties arming themselves, there are other ways of feeling safer.
"Planning is very important; what to do and where to go if there is an intruder.
"Every household needs to have a personal safety strategy.
"Communication is everything out here and last month it broke down on both sides.
"Not everyone knew about the man and we failed to tell property owners when he was apprehended later that night, which would have eased a lot of fears.
"People out in the rural communities need to take all the precautions they can to ensure safety.
"If they are going to consider the possibility of using firearms to protect their family they need to do so with extreme caution and consider all the consequences.
"For every action there are repercussions."
In case of emergency, 112 can be dialled from any mobile phone, regardless of coverage in the area at the time, and the call will be linked through to the Police, Fire and Ambulance services.
The informal personal safety meeting was called by Tonie Young of ‘Mernoo’ after an incident on her access road saw her sleeping with a gun under the bed.
On April 30, a 31-year-old unknown man, apparently looking for water for his car’s radiator, was talking to ‘roo shooters on the access road.
Within hours the news of a ‘dodgy character’ had made it around the property grapevine, causing worry not only to Mrs Young at home with four children but others in the immediate area.
They had good reason: by 6.45pm that evening the man was arrested after driving head-on into Snr Cnst McDonald’s police car during a brief chase.
Subsequent investigations resulted in three counts of stealing fuel, two of breaking and entering into Rockhampton properties and one each of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.
"I had no idea what was happening and was wondering whether the guy was looking for a place to hide out," Mrs Young.
"I was lying in bed really freaked out. I have got four kids, how am I going to grab them all and run?
"The meeting is a chance for us to learn about our rights.
"A lot of us have guns on our properties and I’m sure if it came down to it I would just shoot an intruder; anything to protect my kids."
During the meeting Snr Cnst McDonald quickly pointed out that last month’s incident was an isolated one, and while there was nothing stopping properties arming themselves, there are other ways of feeling safer.
"Planning is very important; what to do and where to go if there is an intruder.
"Every household needs to have a personal safety strategy.
"Communication is everything out here and last month it broke down on both sides.
"Not everyone knew about the man and we failed to tell property owners when he was apprehended later that night, which would have eased a lot of fears.
"People out in the rural communities need to take all the precautions they can to ensure safety.
"If they are going to consider the possibility of using firearms to protect their family they need to do so with extreme caution and consider all the consequences.
"For every action there are repercussions."
In case of emergency, 112 can be dialled from any mobile phone, regardless of coverage in the area at the time, and the call will be linked through to the Police, Fire and Ambulance services.
posted by dr mcgillicudy's cudsong at 9:07 AM
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