By JONATHON HOWARD
MORE than 20 residents from across the Southern Downs attended a community crime forum at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre on Thursday, 15 August.
The crime forum was called to discuss topical issues within the community and also featured guest speaker Paul Stanley – the father of Matthew Stanley who was king hit and killed during a birthday party in Brisbane in 2006.
Mr Stanley said a hostile guest didn’t like Matthew talking to a girl at the party, so he punched him in the side of the head as Matthew was trying to leave through a back gate.
With Matthew lying crumpled on the ground, his attacker began kicking him in the head.
It left him fatally injured, with two fractures to his skull, four broken ribs and a crushed lung.
In the six years since his death, Matthew’s parents, Paul and Kay, have set out to make a change to public behaviour.
They have spoken to thousands of school students, set up the Matthew Stanley Foundation; established the Walk Away, Chill Out initiative; and were the driving force behind the Queensland Government’s One Punch Can Kill campaign.
They’re sick and tired of seeing people’s lives shattered by violence. And they’re just as sick of the “brain snap” excuse for laying the blow on their son in the first place.
Mr Stanley’s presentation was followed by a question and answer session with Stanthorpe Police’s Senior Sergeant Mark Ireland.
Among the police concerns raised were delays in residents reporting criminal activity.
Snr Sgt Ireland stressed the need for residents to contact police immediately in order for police to provide the fastest and most effective response.
“Police are very approachable,” he said. “It’s a small community and we need work together to ensure we maintain a safe community.”
Snr Sgt Ireland said residents should not delay in reporting suspicious activity.
“We’d rather turn up to 10 concerns from the public which result in no action, then not turn up to one report that really matters,” he said.
“Take into account the circumstances, but if you see or witness an act of criminal or suspicious activity – report it straight away.”
Snr Sgt Ireland said police often cop a lot of criticism and the crime forum helped residents understand the role of police.
If you have witnessed a crime or believe you witnesses suspicious behaviour, contact Police Link or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
