A drug-affected homeless individual has sparked concern among Bairnsdale business owners after writing on walls and windows in what is believed to be faeces.
The business owners have obvious concerns for their safety and that of the public, however have also said more needs to be done to support this individual and other homeless people across the region.
“There were smears of unidentifiable fluid and mud on the windows of Toyworld. This man sleeps and toilets out the front of shops such as Toyworld, Sportspower, Nicholson River Soaps and The Book Orchard. He also causes problems with these businesses during the day and scares customers and others on the street,” one business owner said.
“Said male is an ice user and there is a bad batch going around – this would explain his recent deterioration from a few weeks ago. There has also been an increase in the past few weeks of other persons appearing not only highly intoxicated but very unwell – more than alcohol would cause – to the extent that emergency services have been called for welfare reasons.
“Unfortunately it seems the police do not have capacity or are unable to get these people help when shopkeeper/community asks for it.
“Shop owners and passers-by are combining to actively seek out a solution to this problem and constantly call on police and council for assistance. The council is also now calling on Police to help do something.
“Not only is there a welfare issue for the person(s) concerned there are also safety concerns for the community and business owners, economic concerns as shoppers refuse to patronise the stores because they are scared and the cost to clean up after these people.
“Someone needs to do something. Moving these people on is not solving the problem.
“Allowing self determination for those suffering from mental health is to be congratulated, however something needs to be able to happen when persons who quite obviously cannot look after themselves due to their mental health / drug use and it is having a detrimental effect on them and the community and/or they are consistently coming to police attention.
“We are trying as a community to help but our hands are tied and we are suffering for it.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Mitch Capodiferro said Bairnsdale Police have recently met with concerned business operators who have been impacted by this individual’s behaviour.
“While there are various contributing factors to this issue, police have a role to play to ensure the safety of the community is maintained and any identified offences are investigated,” he said.
“To enable police to be of assistance and investigate offences, I encourage all members of the community including business operators to contact 000 (if police are needed at a location) or the police station (for advice only).
“For this issue, police actions vary but depending on circumstances the police response may look like: Offering individuals support via referrals; Utilising ‘move on powers’ under Common Law to prevent a breach of the peace; Investigation and prosecution of any identified offences.
“Whilst police do have a role to play with this community issue, it requires a collaborative response with our partner agencies and will be tabled for discussion at the next Local Safety Committee meeting.”
President of the Bairnsdale chamber of Commerce, Trevor Hancock, said the anti social, and in many cases threatening behaviour, “is a direct result of a failed State Government policy”.
“They throw all the responsibility onto our police force without the necessary resources,” he said.
“This is a state government lacking financial management, understanding its danger to business and lack of ability to tackle crime and social disorder.”Local State MP Tim Bull the individual who is responsible for the most recent incident is a person well known to him and someone he has tried to assist personally several times. Another leading local Main Street trader said faeces or poo had been wiped on his windows, he contacted local police who said there is nothing they can do.
The trader said, “someone needs to step up and be accountable whether it’s our Mayor, the chief of police or our local elected politicians, constant conversation does not help the CBD business traders at all . It is a very sad situation when l have to worry about my sixteen year old junior coming to work and stepping over a junkie at our back door.”
