Darwin's Public Transit Faces Armed Security Crackdown
New armed 'Police Public Safety Officers' to patrol NT buses, sparking concerns from Indigenous leaders about discrimination and safety
Darwin's public transportation system is set to undergo a major security overhaul, as the Northern Territory government introduces a new force of armed police officers to patrol buses and other transit hubs. The move, which is meant to address an increase in antisocial behaviour, has drawn sharp criticism from First Nations lawyers and politicians who warn it will disproportionately impact Indigenous people and make them feel less safe, rather than more secure.
The first of these new Police Public Safety Officers (PPSOs) will begin patrolling Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs in June, after an 18-week training program. The NT government introduced legislation to create the PPSOs last year, citing a need to address what they described as growing public transport safety issues.
Source: The Guardian
