Adelaide Chinatown shop traders fear for safety as crime increases
Chinatown business owners are contemplating keeping weapons in their shops as the police and council battle rising crime levels in the area.
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Traders in Chinatown and its surrounding streets have considered keeping weapons in their shops to protect themselves from increasing crime in the area, an Adelaide city councillor says.
Cr Simon Hou will on Tuesday night push for a safety audit of the area in response to their fears.
It comes as a report revealed the council had been working with SA Police since July following “emerging community safety concerns”.
He wants increased security on Gouger, Field, Market, Moonta and Wright streets – including more patrols, CCTV and extra lighting – because of anti-social behaviour.
Cr Hou said he had been told of 17 incidents in the past month, some of them occurring in daylight where cigarettes and cash register takings had been stolen.
“There is one trader that has had his premises broken into three times in one month,” he said.
“Some traders asked whether they need weapons – (though) not guns – to protect themselves.
“There is a lot of fear, even in the daytime.”
The council had to do something about it because many traders, especially those located on side-streets, “were terrified”.
He would not identify the shops targeted by criminals, to avoid repercussions.
Council staff said emerging safety concerns were raised with police about two months ago.
“Since that time SA Police have worked alongside the community, business operators and council to encourage the reporting of crime and anti-social behaviour,” a council report said.
Chinatown Adelaide of SA president George Chin, who also runs Adelaide Chinatown Lotteries, said his shop was among those that had been targeted.
“They used instruments (tools) trying to open my door, and this is typical of what is happening around the area,” Mr Chin said.
“More CCTV would definitely be good and would deter people from doing silly things.”
His concerns were backed by Kuo Chi Oriental Supermarket employee Tran Duong who had noticed crime.
“People come and steal things from the shop quite often,” he said.
Deputy Lord Mayor Houssam Abiad, a Central Ward representative, said the council could consider subsidising CCTV cameras for traders.
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SA Police Eastern District police officer in charge Superintendent Craig Wall said police actively patrolled Chinatown, the Central Market and the bus station to monitor behaviour and increase public safety.
“SAPOL continues to work closely with the City of Adelaide council, stakeholders and business owners to address any behavioural issues in the area,” he said.
The council will vote on the proposal on Tuesday night.