“PUTTING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO INCARCERATION, CREATES MORE TRAUMA” Martu Church pastor John Willmot speaks out about Youth Crime in Newman.

A community meeting is set to be held in Newman after complaints by disgruntled residents on social media about the high incidents of youth crime.

John Wilmot is the pastor of the Martu Aboriginal Church in Newman. Although he has spent 12 years of his life in the town with his family, he said that it feels like the town is not a community.

“We are not a community. We are basically a mining town, and my perception is that people don’t really care, except what they can get out of this town,

“It’s totally targeted now; it’s becoming centred on a particular group in town and that is my issue,

Source: Facebook Pastor John Wilmot has lived in Newman for over 12 years.

My fear is that it will just be venting and something that will do more damage, as most responses in handling these issues seem to be punitive”

Newman has been likened to a war zone in the past, because of the high incidents of youth crime.

Anthony Middleton is the new shire president of the East Pilbara said that youth crime will be one of his main priorities.

“I think it’s something we just have to work on with all the departments and services in the service providers as well in the community, and hopefully, come to an outcome sooner rather than later.”

Pastor Wilmot said people need to join community events.

“It takes effort, and it takes people to step out of their comfort zone”.

Meeting organiser Cheryl Glover wrote on Facebook something needs to be done about the stealing in Newman town.

“They say there kids, why are they not home, these kids are not safe at home because parents are drinking”.

The meeting is set to be held on June 21, 8 pm at Saints Football Club with representatives from police, Pilbara Aboriginal Medical Services, and more set to be present.