We've been talking a lot this morning about some terrible instances that have occurred over the last few days, and a brutal broad daylight attack on a tourist in Alice Springs as well as a robbery a rebels sport in Darwin. Now that one happened just a couple of days ago, but the owners of Casarina Square say that they have noticed a significant drop in crime and anti social behavior. Sentinel Property Group said that youth crime has declined, while adult crime has also seen a bit of a decrease over a two year period. Now joining us in the studio is the CEO, Warren Ebbertt. Good morning to you, Warren.

We've been talking a lot this morning about some terrible instances that have occurred over the last few days, and a brutal broad daylight attack on a tourist in Alice Springs as well as a robbery a rebels sport in Darwin. Now that one happened just a couple of days ago, but the owners of Casarina Square say that they have noticed a significant drop in crime and anti social behavior. Sentinel Property Group said that youth crime has declined, while adult crime has also seen a bit of a decrease over a two year period. Now joining us in the studio is the CEO, Warren Ebbertt. Good morning to you, Warren.

Good morning, Katie, another sensational day in Darwin.

Good morning, Katie, another sensational day in Darwin.

It is a lovely day today.

It is a lovely day today.

Now, Warren tellers there's been a noticeable decrease in crime at the center, is what you are saying, Katie.

Now, Warren tellers there's been a noticeable decrease in crime at the center, is what you are saying, Katie.

We bought the center or settle on the property thirty first of March twenty twenty two. Now we had security contracts in place which we were legally obligated to continue with it. It's taken We instigated some immediate changes were the patrol dogs and those type of things, but it is hard to change people's habits. So last year we did a contract with the local security group, Neptune Security, and we have seen enormous changes. We've seen youth incidents where they just have to pull them up talk to them because there are a few problems. Now they're down eighty.

We bought the center or settle on the property thirty first of March twenty twenty two. Now we had security contracts in place which we were legally obligated to continue with it. It's taken We instigated some immediate changes were the patrol dogs and those type of things, but it is hard to change people's habits. So last year we did a contract with the local security group, Neptune Security, and we have seen enormous changes. We've seen youth incidents where they just have to pull them up talk to them because there are a few problems. Now they're down eighty.

Six percent, down eighty eighty six.

Six percent, down eighty eighty six.

Percent year on year from eighty seven per day to twelve per day. One of our larger national retailers their thefts are down fifty percent year on year from December twenty three to December twenty four, and they say it's the best that they have seen it in five years.

Percent year on year from eighty seven per day to twelve per day. One of our larger national retailers their thefts are down fifty percent year on year from December twenty three to December twenty four, and they say it's the best that they have seen it in five years.

And do you reckon do you attribute that to the change in security or do you think that there's I mean, do you think that some of the legislative changes that have been made have had an impact as well?

And do you reckon do you attribute that to the change in security or do you think that there's I mean, do you think that some of the legislative changes that have been made have had an impact as well?

Katie, There's never one thing, so there's everyone thing that makes a good football team. You've got, it's a combination of things. It's all the one percenters, And certainly the security team are much more active. They're very preventative. Rather than waiting for people to come inside and create problems, they have people stationed at the bottom of the escalators and sort things out down there. But certainly the legislation that the CLP have brought in with the reduction of the age of criminality. Now, I know people aren't like but if you don't commit a crime, it's not an issue. We have youth mentors out there seven days a week.

Katie, There's never one thing, so there's everyone thing that makes a good football team. You've got, it's a combination of things. It's all the one percenters, And certainly the security team are much more active. They're very preventative. Rather than waiting for people to come inside and create problems, they have people stationed at the bottom of the escalators and sort things out down there. But certainly the legislation that the CLP have brought in with the reduction of the age of criminality. Now, I know people aren't like but if you don't commit a crime, it's not an issue. We have youth mentors out there seven days a week.

So how are they employed by, well, what are they government funded? Yeah?

So how are they employed by, well, what are they government funded? Yeah?

Government funded. I know there's a lot of bad us, but there's a lot of kids who really don't have a choice. They're not looked after at home. We've had our center managers actually feed eight year old girl and a ten year old brother. You have three meals a day. So you know that gets us to another thing. We really do need that youth drop in center out there that was funded was going ahead. Now there's been nothing happened since the CLP. You've got in now, the CLP have done some fantastic change. Now they have truant officers now wandering around. If your kids aren't gained skill, there's a three hundred and seventy dollars fine, but.

Government funded. I know there's a lot of bad us, but there's a lot of kids who really don't have a choice. They're not looked after at home. We've had our center managers actually feed eight year old girl and a ten year old brother. You have three meals a day. So you know that gets us to another thing. We really do need that youth drop in center out there that was funded was going ahead. Now there's been nothing happened since the CLP. You've got in now, the CLP have done some fantastic change. Now they have truant officers now wandering around. If your kids aren't gained skill, there's a three hundred and seventy dollars fine, but.

They've got to get this youth drop in centering. I do, so where do you reckon it needs to go? Because that's been the point of contention here I think is that when we caught up with the with the minister Jinsen Charles, he had said that, you know, that's what they're looking at, the different locations where it needs to go.

They've got to get this youth drop in centering. I do, so where do you reckon it needs to go? Because that's been the point of contention here I think is that when we caught up with the with the minister Jinsen Charles, he had said that, you know, that's what they're looking at, the different locations where it needs to go.

I mean, what are your thoughts on this?

I mean, what are your thoughts on this?

Well, I know they say that, but as late as yesterday morning on the CLP government website it's still had the old fire slash at Casarina so maybe they need to update their website.

Well, I know they say that, but as late as yesterday morning on the CLP government website it's still had the old fire slash at Casarina so maybe they need to update their website.

So you reckon it needs to go there? Like what do you well?

So you reckon it needs to go there? Like what do you well?

For us? As you know, we're certainly very concerned about the community. We put a lot of money into it book, but we have to be our main focus is on Casina Square. Now, given every man, woman and child in Darwin goes to Casarina Square five point one times a month and spends fifty four dollars and fifty three cents pervisent. Now you probably spend a lot.

For us? As you know, we're certainly very concerned about the community. We put a lot of money into it book, but we have to be our main focus is on Casina Square. Now, given every man, woman and child in Darwin goes to Casarina Square five point one times a month and spends fifty four dollars and fifty three cents pervisent. Now you probably spend a lot.

More, mate, I spend quite a bit of money at the shopping center. There's no doubt about that. My husband's not listening, so I'm all right.

More, mate, I spend quite a bit of money at the shopping center. There's no doubt about that. My husband's not listening, so I'm all right.

So where the people like it or not. There's one hundred and forty thousand people in Darwin. We get eight point four million visitors a year. Now, we are very keen to support something close to us. If there's trouble with the youth that they're our a security people can walk them down there, and we're keen to work with their retailers when there's food left over the end of the night, which is one hundred percent fine, yeah, yeah, but you won't keep it overnight.

So where the people like it or not. There's one hundred and forty thousand people in Darwin. We get eight point four million visitors a year. Now, we are very keen to support something close to us. If there's trouble with the youth that they're our a security people can walk them down there, and we're keen to work with their retailers when there's food left over the end of the night, which is one hundred percent fine, yeah, yeah, but you won't keep it overnight.

And so I mean, is that.

And so I mean, is that.

Like, is the fire station going to be the best location? The old fire station location is what I'm saying. Is that going to be the best spot for there to be a youth dropping center? I guess anybody that lives nearby maybe doesn't think so.

Like, is the fire station going to be the best location? The old fire station location is what I'm saying. Is that going to be the best spot for there to be a youth dropping center? I guess anybody that lives nearby maybe doesn't think so.

I think the ideal place for a youth dropping center would be not to have one, Katie, if we had no trouble. But the trouble is we do have trouble, and it has to go somewhere. Now I know there Nimby, not in my backyard. Now. I think the previous government, and I'm not here to defend them because they did plenty of things wrong. But that center's already there. It was a fire station, so it was used to noise and activity. It wasn't a park. And then then you had the men shed. If there's somewhere else, can we bloody get it done?

I think the ideal place for a youth dropping center would be not to have one, Katie, if we had no trouble. But the trouble is we do have trouble, and it has to go somewhere. Now I know there Nimby, not in my backyard. Now. I think the previous government, and I'm not here to defend them because they did plenty of things wrong. But that center's already there. It was a fire station, so it was used to noise and activity. It wasn't a park. And then then you had the men shed. If there's somewhere else, can we bloody get it done?

So is that your message really for the government today, Like we have to make this happen.

So is that your message really for the government today, Like we have to make this happen.

You need that youth drop in center.

You need that youth drop in center.

We do because idle hands get into mischief. Now when kids have nothing to do, even if they're good kids, I'll mixed with bad ones and then we've got a problem. We need somewhere where they can go have some activities, maybe teach them, teach them to cook, teach them to do something. If they want to just play games, go now and play it rather than warrent.

We do because idle hands get into mischief. Now when kids have nothing to do, even if they're good kids, I'll mixed with bad ones and then we've got a problem. We need somewhere where they can go have some activities, maybe teach them, teach them to cook, teach them to do something. If they want to just play games, go now and play it rather than warrent.

Some people listening might be going, oh, of course you want there to be a youth drop in center because you don't want the youth Casuarina. You know, you're just trying to get them out of there. Like what do you say to people listening this morning that are thinking that.

Some people listening might be going, oh, of course you want there to be a youth drop in center because you don't want the youth Casuarina. You know, you're just trying to get them out of there. Like what do you say to people listening this morning that are thinking that.

I don't think anyone's that's cilin Dahwen, are they, Katie?

I don't think anyone's that's cilin Dahwen, are they, Katie?

Possibly the other views? Other views.

Possibly the other views? Other views.

So we have no problem with youths coming there. We just don't want problem. And as I say, when we get every man, one child, five put one times a month. We wanted to be clean, safe and enjoyable. Now I think everyone wants that, So how do we achieve that? Now? Twelve months ago, we used to have at the start of the school year, you'd get the different school groups and their skill uniforms coming. We had one day fifty students fighting. Now I remember, yep, you know, Ami, we've had this year, not one, not one And that's I do put that down to the CLP government and that they're changes in legislation and they're doing a lot of good things, but we need a youth thropping center in effort. It's not going to be at the fire station. Where is it. Can we get it done because the youths need help?

So we have no problem with youths coming there. We just don't want problem. And as I say, when we get every man, one child, five put one times a month. We wanted to be clean, safe and enjoyable. Now I think everyone wants that, So how do we achieve that? Now? Twelve months ago, we used to have at the start of the school year, you'd get the different school groups and their skill uniforms coming. We had one day fifty students fighting. Now I remember, yep, you know, Ami, we've had this year, not one, not one And that's I do put that down to the CLP government and that they're changes in legislation and they're doing a lot of good things, but we need a youth thropping center in effort. It's not going to be at the fire station. Where is it. Can we get it done because the youths need help?

Yeah, get it moving. And now I want to ask you last time we spoke. We've certainly spoken in the past about the numbers of weapons being discarded around the shopping center.

Yeah, get it moving. And now I want to ask you last time we spoke. We've certainly spoken in the past about the numbers of weapons being discarded around the shopping center.

Are you still having to worry about that?

Are you still having to worry about that?

Well, you're always worry about it, Katie, But we've gone from over when twelve months ago they're confiscating around two each two per day now for the whole of March this year, we did two for the month. So we are seeing enormous changes. And I've heard on the rain of this morning a lot of crime and it hasn't disappeared, but our focus is at Kasarina and it shows that working together you can you can do things. Now, we're also closing the BWS at Kasarina next month, so you know, we're not closing the little land because if you want to go shopping with your family, are entitled to buy some bottles of wine and have a piet drink. I don't have an issue with that.

Well, you're always worry about it, Katie, But we've gone from over when twelve months ago they're confiscating around two each two per day now for the whole of March this year, we did two for the month. So we are seeing enormous changes. And I've heard on the rain of this morning a lot of crime and it hasn't disappeared, but our focus is at Kasarina and it shows that working together you can you can do things. Now, we're also closing the BWS at Kasarina next month, so you know, we're not closing the little land because if you want to go shopping with your family, are entitled to buy some bottles of wine and have a piet drink. I don't have an issue with that.

What impact do you think the closure of that BWS is potentially going to have, Katie.

What impact do you think the closure of that BWS is potentially going to have, Katie.

The problems we've had now are the three bs, the bus, the booze, and the banks that arrive on the bus go up to You know, there's a couple of banks that have the contracts with the federal government for giving out money for doing nothing. They then get that and go to b WS. So we'll be shifting some of the banks outside so people don't q up inside the binder change. You know, you've probably heard that it is closing, so there'll be a bus stop people can come and go. That's not going to change, but we're not going to have all the people sitting sitting around there and the boozers, so all the things that we're creating the issues there, they'll be gone.

The problems we've had now are the three bs, the bus, the booze, and the banks that arrive on the bus go up to You know, there's a couple of banks that have the contracts with the federal government for giving out money for doing nothing. They then get that and go to b WS. So we'll be shifting some of the banks outside so people don't q up inside the binder change. You know, you've probably heard that it is closing, so there'll be a bus stop people can come and go. That's not going to change, but we're not going to have all the people sitting sitting around there and the boozers, so all the things that we're creating the issues there, they'll be gone.

Now, what about just on a bit of an update at the center, how are those plans going to redevelop?

Now, what about just on a bit of an update at the center, how are those plans going to redevelop?

The quarter starts next month, Katie, Right, So if you're after a bit a weekend job for com creating us okay or your husband, So we're actually out to tender now. We start next month. We expect the quarter will be open for Easter next year. We've got a couple of really good national tenants that are going in there, and it'll be completely different. We know it's not fit for purpose now we didn't do it, but it will change.

The quarter starts next month, Katie, Right, So if you're after a bit a weekend job for com creating us okay or your husband, So we're actually out to tender now. We start next month. We expect the quarter will be open for Easter next year. We've got a couple of really good national tenants that are going in there, and it'll be completely different. We know it's not fit for purpose now we didn't do it, but it will change.

How big an investment is this for Sentinel? How much money are you going to be spending on this? And I mean, how many people do you anticipate it going to be working there?

How big an investment is this for Sentinel? How much money are you going to be spending on this? And I mean, how many people do you anticipate it going to be working there?

Well, I know it's fifty million dollars because I had to approve the budget. I don't know how much many people. But yep, part of that is the quarter. And then we're doing a new Woolworth So the existing five thousand meter wall so that's going to get down to the latest three and a half thousand meters module and one thousand meter dark store so you can have your click and clicked, and I think that will be the only one in Northern Territory. And then we're doing a multi level car park out the front of Walworth's going out on the Trail Road.

Well, I know it's fifty million dollars because I had to approve the budget. I don't know how much many people. But yep, part of that is the quarter. And then we're doing a new Woolworth So the existing five thousand meter wall so that's going to get down to the latest three and a half thousand meters module and one thousand meter dark store so you can have your click and clicked, and I think that will be the only one in Northern Territory. And then we're doing a multi level car park out the front of Walworth's going out on the Trail Road.

So next month that gets underway. How long until it will be complete.

So next month that gets underway. How long until it will be complete.

Well, we certainly expect the quarter to be open by Easter next year, and with the Woolworths and deck car parking open my September next year, so we're getting right into it.

Well, we certainly expect the quarter to be open by Easter next year, and with the Woolworths and deck car parking open my September next year, so we're getting right into it.

Well, Warren, we are going to have to leave it there. There is a lot happening this morning. I really appreciate you joining this this morning and giving us a bit of an updates on the issues of antisocial behavior and crime in the center, but also on those plans around the quarter. I think people will be really pleased.

Well, Warren, we are going to have to leave it there. There is a lot happening this morning. I really appreciate you joining this this morning and giving us a bit of an updates on the issues of antisocial behavior and crime in the center, but also on those plans around the quarter. I think people will be really pleased.

To hear that, Thanks Katie. And I know that crime is a big thing. We've got to get sort up here to get more people move here. But it shows if you take the right actions and what the government are doing, there is hope and it is improving enormously well.

To hear that, Thanks Katie. And I know that crime is a big thing. We've got to get sort up here to get more people move here. But it shows if you take the right actions and what the government are doing, there is hope and it is improving enormously well.

Sentinel Property Group CEO Warren Ebbert, good to chat with you today.

Sentinel Property Group CEO Warren Ebbert, good to chat with you today.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks Cutie,

Thanks Cutie,