Still Safe… But Not Quite As Sleepy

TL;DR (for the skimmers)

Crime in the Victoria Point corridor is higher than many realise, with theft a major issue. Coochie is seeing a rise in petty theft around the jetty and barge. A petition is calling for better lighting and usable cameras. Key message: report everything, or it doesn’t exist in the data.

From the Jetty to the Car Park: Why This Petition Matters Now

There’s a point where “it’s just a few incidents” quietly beomes a pattern.

And right now, across Victoria Point the SMBIs and Coochiemudlo, that shift is starting to feel a little too familiar.

Local resident Lulu has launched a petition calling for improved lighting and upgraded security cameras at key transport points, including the mainland ferry car park and the jetty and barge areas on Coochiemudlo.

Not to turn the island into a surveillance zone.
But to draw a very clear line.

The Pattern We Can’t Ignore

On the mainland side, the issue is concentrated around the top car park at Victoria Point ferry terminal.

Reported incidents include:

• Fuel siphoning
• Number plate theft
• Vehicle damage and break-ins

And here’s the kicker:

Even when cameras exist, the footage is often too poor quality to be useful.

Which means…
No identification.
No consequences.
No deterrent.

Across the broader area, the data backs up what people are feeling on the ground.

The Victoria Point–Redland Bay corridor recorded over 1,700 offences in a year, with theft making up a significant portion. Statewide, theft-related offences account for more than half of all property crime in Queensland.

That’s not nothing. That’s a trend.

And Yes… It’s Reaching the Island

Coochiemudlo has always had that “leave your door unlocked” reputation.

But recently, residents are reporting:

• Electric bikes and scooters being stolen
• Mobility aids like wheelchairs being tampered with
• Bikes and personal items going missing from jetty and barge areas

These aren’t big headline crimes.
They’re the kind that slowly erode trust.

And they hit harder on an island where:

• People rely on those items to get around
• Replacement isn’t always simple
• And access depends on ferries and timing

What the Data Says About Coochie

Coochiemudlo is still considered a low-crime area overall. That hasn’t changed.

You’re far less likely to experience violent crime here than in most parts of Queensland.

But when it comes to property crime — the kind we’re talking about — the picture shifts.

• Property crime is the most common type of offence on the island
• Around 1 in 53 residents are affected
• Theft occurs at roughly 1 incident per 100–110 residents

In a community of around 850 people, that’s not invisible… that’s noticeable.

And here’s the part that matters:

Crime on Coochiemudlo has increased by more than 30% in the past year.

Now, before anyone panics, that doesn’t automatically mean there’s 30% more crime.

It can also reflect more people reporting incidents that previously would’ve gone unreported.

And honestly… that’s part of the point.

The Awkward Truth About “Low Crime Areas”

Island communities like Coochie often show lower official crime rates because:

• Smaller populations
• Fewer reported incidents
• Strong community culture

But…

If incidents aren’t reported, they don’t exist in the data.

And if they don’t exist in the data, funding, policing, and infrastructure upgrades don’t follow.

So you end up in a loop:

“It’s safe” → less reporting → no upgrades → issues quietly grow

This Isn’t About Surveillance. It’s About Signal

The petition is asking for:

• Better lighting in key areas
• Higher-quality cameras that can actually identify people
• Strategic placement at:
  • Victoria Point ferry car park
  • Coochie jetty
  • Barge ramp areas

Importantly, this is not about blanket surveillance.

It’s about sending a very specific message:

If you do the wrong thing here… you might actually get caught.

And It Doesn’t Hit Council Budgets

There’s also a practical angle here.

The upgrades could be funded through the Safer Communities Fund, a grant program offering up to $400,000 for security infrastructure in areas experiencing increased criminal activity.

So this isn’t:
“Ratepayers foot the bill”

It’s:
“Use available funding where it’s actually needed”

⚠️ The Part Most People Skip (But Shouldn’t)

If you take nothing else from this article, take this:

Report. Every. Single. Incident.

Even the small stuff.

Because officially:

👉 If it’s not reported, it didn’t happen.

And that directly affects:

• Police resourcing
• Funding approvals
• Grant eligibility
• Infrastructure decisions

How to Report Crime (Quick + Easy)

Queensland Police (non-urgent):

Report online via Policelink

PoliceLink (24/7):
📞 131 444

Crime Stoppers (anonymous):
📞 1800 333 000
🌐 www.crimestoppersqld.com.au

Emergency (if happening now):
📞 000

You can report:

• Theft
• Suspicious behaviour
• Property damage
• Attempted incidents

Yes… even “they just looked a bit dodgy near my bike” counts.

The Ask

Lulu’s petition is simple:

• Improve lighting
• Upgrade cameras
• Make these spaces safer

You can sign digitally right here via Change.org, or in person at the jetty during scheduled times.

The Bottom Line

Coochie is still a safe place.

That hasn’t changed.

But safety isn’t something you set and forget.

It’s something you maintain.

And right now, this feels like one of those moments where a small, practical step could stop a bigger problem later.

Sign the petition here...