COMMUNITY association Voice of Cockburn has pulled together a Coolbellup crime forum for next weekend following a terrifying night of violence earlier this month when a machete was allegedly wielded.
While the latest police statistics show last year having the lowest crime rate in three years, the chairman of the association says things have significantly ramped up in recent weeks.
Around 20 police were called to Molvolio Road on February 6 after two groups of youths confronted each other, footage from a resident showing a machete, metal pole and other objects used as weapons.
Residents reported having their cars attacked, with tyres slashed and windows broken.
Voice of Cockburn chair Marcus Burnett said crime and anti-social behaviour was becoming almost a daily occurrence for residents of the suburb, so much so that many didn’t report incidents to the police.
“There is a significant issue with Department of Housing occupants that has also been raised, with drug and alcohol-related violence and theft leading the main concerns as well as health concerns at these properties.
“There is a gentleman who has a large stack of letters to various departments with no action taken either, hence why I have invited the relevant ministers and shadow ministers.
“Education is key and part of the forum is driving the message home.
“Our forums have been very successful in the past and [we] hope that this one will be the same.”
The forum will be held at the Len Packham Reserve clubrooms on Saturday February 28 at 3.30pm. If you’ve got hold of a flyer that says the meeting’s in April, that was a misprint.
Police statistics show that the total offences in Coolbellup dropped to 887 last year after peaking at just over 1000 in the previous two years.
Police said a 14-year-old male was charged with being armed in a way that might cause fear after the incident, as well as a stealing charge related to a matter from December last year. He plead guilty when he appeared at the Perth Children’s Court. A 15-year-old received a juvenile caution.
by STEVE GRANT