OFF THE WIRE
adelaidenow.com.au
Staff go about their business after the shooting at the Caffe Paesano; the food display counter, complete with bullethole in glass. Picture: Chris Mangan
ADELAIDE'S spate of shootings arises from culprits' belief they won't be caught, a criminologist says.
Bond University criminology Associate Professor Wayne Petherick also attributed it to the contagion effect.
There have been 11 shootings across Adelaide since the 11-year-old son of former Finks bikie Mark Sandery was shot when armed men burst into his Semaphore home on September 30.
Four of the shootings have been directly linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The weapons used in the shootings have ranged from handguns to rifles and shotguns.
Dr Petherick said the shootings could be attributed to the contagion effect.
"It's a belief that when something happens, it might inspire somebody who already has that frame of mind to go out and engage in that behaviour," he said.
"Someone will see other people get away with it and say, 'They got away with it so there is a pretty good chance I will, too'."
The shooting suspects were also likely to have the belief they wouldn't be caught, Dr Petherick said.
"There is a bit of a belief system there that they won't get caught or that the chances of getting caught are greatly reduced," he said.
"There is also a belief that the legal system doesn't operate too efficiently and that if they do get caught, they might get away with it or get a very light sentence."
Dr Petherick said it was also likely an arms race was developing among criminals in Adelaide.
"What we have is a succession of 'up-gunning' among groups who are interacting with each other in an attempt to provide either the best self-defence or the best form of offence," he said.
Opposition police spokesman Duncan McFetridge said there needed to be greater deterrents for people considering using illegal firearms, including harsher sentences.
"If people's attitudes are such now that they feel they can just wander around with a gun in their pockets then we do need to look at both the police resourcing and the penalties," he said.
