NRL legends are joining forces with NSW Police to help address a youth crime crisis in Moree.
Rabbitohs stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker have been enlisted as mentors for at risk Indigenous kids as part of a program called Operation Pathfinder.
Rugby league boss Peter V’landys came up with the idea with the help of senior police.
“We’ll be bringing rugby league players up here [to Mooree] to do what we’re doing today, drills training and spending time around these players,” V’landys said.
“Wherever we can prevent and engage people before it ends up in a criminal justice system, that will pay us benefits,” Police Commissioner Karen Webb added.
Morree businesses said youth crime had hit them hard, with an increase in car thefts, home invasions and robberies.
Walker and Mitchell said the program was important for the young Indigenous community and believed it could help with the youth crime crisis.
“[We] understand the responsibility that falls on our shoulders, being positive role models to our people is something I enjoy doing … hopefully it can inspire one or two kids in the community to live a positive lifestyle,” Walker said.
“NRL is a religion in Indigenous communities, you can imagine the impact [it will have],” Mitchell added.
The mentors will be available to kids in the program whenever they are needed.
“It’s not a sugar hit, these mentors are with these kids for a long long time … and they’re accessible on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis,” NSW Police Deputy Superintendent Gavin Wood said.
The NSW government has sought to tighten bail laws for youth offenders to make it harder for repeat offenders to be released.
Premier Chris Minns said the program was a good alternative to prevent youth crime.
“We know we need a major intervention but initiatives like this offer hope and provide an alternative,” he said.
