Governor John Rankin and Deputy Governor David Archer have voiced grave concern over violence and glorification of crime claiming young lives in the Territory.
“Too many young people have lost their lives”, Governor Rankin stated during a recent edition of Government Business at its Best – Table Talk.
He highlighted the alarming spate of crime seen as eroding community safety.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Archer reflected on the paradigm shift towards crime becoming a cornerstone of status for some youngsters.
He noted that it has gone from where crime was seen as a last resort for people who ended up making poor choices, to now becoming a lifestyle that is glorified.
Both officials suggested that beyond policing, solutions rest on addressing root socio-economic drivers and providing youth options away from gang culture.
Governor Rankin said the priority is working collectively to prevent more youth from losing their futures to needless violence.