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Supermarket chair thanks volunteers for dramatic crime decline at store

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The chair of Tennant Creek’s relief supermarket has thanked the hard work and dedication of the Jurnkkurakurr Volunteers action group for a dramatic decline in theft and vandalism at the store and the 24-hour BP service station.

Craig Wallace is the Chair of the store’s partnership board, IBA Retail Asset Management (IRAM), which manages the two premises.

Supermarket chair and volunteers
Photo: Tennant & District Times

Mr Wallace said until February, the supermarket and the service station were experience regular issues with overnight break-ins, damage to vehicles, threats and harrassment of staff.

“Things changed when a group of volunteers, led by a community leader and chairperson of Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation Linda Turner, established an action group to protect both premises,” he said.

Volunteers, including Traditional Owners and other community leaders, now sit outside the BP and supermarket every night, talking to youth wandering the streets and encouraging them to go home.

“No serious incidents have been reported at the supermarket or BP since the action group began.”

Mr Wallace said the Jurnkkurakurr Volunteers had put in an extraordinary effort, working in the best interests of the town.

“At our board meeting last week, Directors again praised the great work of this fantastic initiative,” he said.

Mr Wallace and IRAM CEO John Kop visited the group last week.

“We were impressed by the coordination between the women’s action group, community night patrol and Northern Territory Police,” he said.

Tennant & District Times 23 April 2021

This article appeared in the Tennant & District Times, 23 April 2021.

Related story: Join the Jurnkkurakur Volunteers and make a real difference

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