00:02Rallying together over a common concern.
00:06We need police living in Pine Creek.
00:08Members of the Pine Creek community recently learned they would no longer have police residing in the town.
00:15We need police here so they can be on the job straight away.
00:19Pine Creek is located 220 kilometres south of Darwin.
00:23The nearest towns are Adelaide River, 110 kilometres up the Stewart Highway or Catherine, 90 kilometres south.
00:31We're located on the gateway to the Kakadu Highway.
00:36So if there's any accidents, it's a good two hours before we're getting emergency service come down.
00:44Earlier this month police met with community members to discuss a proposed policing model
00:49which they say is part of broader remote policing reform.
00:53Under the proposed model, NT police said Pine Creek would receive regular scheduled visits from general duties police
01:01and specialist units targeting seasonal and emerging crime issues.
01:05Urgent issues would be handled by police from Catherine.
01:09That's over an hour to come up and you know it's just not viable.
01:13Graham Wilcox runs a tavern and caravan park in Pine Creek and says crime has worsened along with a less
01:20consistent police presence.
01:23We have had more anti-social behaviour in the last few years than we've had in the whole ten years
01:28that I've been in Pine Creek.
01:29Last year Mr Wilcox said he called police about armed young people on the roof of his tavern.
01:35That was at one o'clock in the morning and they got here at four o'clock the following afternoon.
01:38Tourism is now the lifeblood of this community.
01:41Businesses rely on the town's good reputation as a safe and enjoyable place for people to stop over on their
01:48travels.
01:49Locals fear a decision to pull police could be the beginning of the end for Pine Creek.
01:55It's just that domino effect. We feel like we've been left out.
01:59Mr Wilcox said police contribute more than just law enforcement to a small community like theirs and having someone local
02:06is key.
02:07They build rapport with everybody because they're your local bloke.
02:10They come out for a beer. They come out for a meal.
02:12Police say they acknowledge the community's preference for police to live in the area and that they're committed to ensuring
02:19Pine Creek receives consistent and effective service.
02:23They come out for a meal.
02:23They come out for a meal.
02:23They come out for a meal.
02:23They come out for a meal.
02:23They come out for a meal.
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