Opinion with Geraldton MLA Kirrilee Warr: Urgent action needed to address crime, make city a safer community

As I write, I am devastated for the victims of the recent crime sprees across our city.

It’s heartbreaking. It’s deeply frustrating. And it strengthens my resolve every single day to fight for Geraldton, because what we’re seeing is an erosion of people’s safety in the community we call home.

Police statistics show total offences across Geraldton’s suburbs surpassed 10,000 in 2025, with more than 40 per cent linked to theft, property damage, or arson. In 2020 the figure was around 5500 meaning offending has nearly doubled in just five years — all on WA Labor’s watch.

Crime is not just a statistic in Geraldton — it’s fast becoming a daily reality, and it remains one of the biggest concerns for our community.

Spend a few minutes walking the main street, speaking with my office, scrolling through local community pages, or reading the local paper, and the message is clear: people are frustrated, and they’re asking how much longer this will continue.

People deserve to feel safe in their homes, in their businesses, and going about everyday life whether that’s walking down the street, shopping, or taking their kids to school or sport without the constant worry that they could be next.

Crime is becoming part of the daily routine for a growing number of offenders, leaving innocent people to pay the price. That should concern every one of us.

For more than a year I have been raising these concerns with the police minister, the Attorney-General, and across government pushing for real practical change. Why? Because Geraldton doesn’t stand for any more excuses. Geraldton wants results.

The Nationals WA policy ahead of the 2025 election focused on overhauling youth justice and consequences for repeat offenders, alongside meaningful diversion programs to stop young people from entering the system in the first place — stopping crime before it starts.

Prevention and early intervention matters, but so does accountability. And that’s the question people keep asking me: is enough being done right now? Is every possible lever truly being pulled?

If what’s being done was enough, we wouldn’t be seeing the same incidents week after week, the same headlines, and statistics creeping upwards.

Let me be clear, our police do a fantastic job with the resources they have. They are working tirelessly, often under pressure, and our community is grateful.

But they cannot do it alone.

The system must back them in, ensuring serious offences keep real consequences, not a revolving door.

Corrective services must be properly supported with the resources, facilities and targeted programs needed to genuinely rehabilitate offenders and break the cycle of reoffending.

Our entire community from local leaders to everyday residents must come together and demand a real plan, sending a clear message to the Premier: enough is enough, and Geraldton deserves more than announcements and photo opportunities.

Geraldton matters and our community deserve decisive action that restores safety, rebuilds confidence and protects our way of life. Because right now, too many people in Geraldton don’t feel safe, and that is simply not good enough.

Kirrilee Warr MLA is the Nationals Member for Geraldton