Boundary Street, West End traders say anti-social behaviour getting worse

Fed-up small retailers on an iconic inner-city high street say anti-social behaviour is now worse than five years ago when ex-Deputy Premier Jackie Trad held a safety summit.

West End traders say while serious crime is not a problem on Boundary St, anti-social behaviour is driving away some customers.

Fed-up small traders on iconic West End retail strip Boundary St say anti-social behaviour is now worse than five years ago when ex-Deputy Premier Jackie Trad held a safety summit.

They say none of the changes promised in the wake of a 2019 report by consultants Urbis had eventuated and called for urgent action on lighting, cameras, more intensive policing and other measures.

Shoplifters were now so brazen they would not only steal from one shop’s outdoor display rack every week, the thieves would show off sunglasses they liked to its owner before walking off.

A dress shop owner often saw thieves wearing her garments the day after they had been stolen.

Another said they had pilfered books thrown at them when they confronted the thief.

Retailers frequently had to mop up vomit and urine on the footpath outside their premises and on one occasion even faeces.

Jackie Trad. Picture: Richard Gosling

“I have worked here for over 30 years. Our business has been here for over 70 years and I have never seen it this bad,’’ one shopowner said.

They said they were too scared to speak out publicly because those who did so recently were trolled on a local Facebook page and labelled “racist’’.

“We catch shoplifters at least three times a week. It’s so sad,’’ they said.

“I used to stay back after work and clean or do some book work, now I’m too scared to.

“We have had a few scary incidents in the last couple of months while training capoeira at Kurilpa Hall, next to the library.

“When we have contacted the police they say they don’t have cops to send, or when calling directly to West End Police Station they say that we are calling out of business hours.

“If nothing changes where will west end be in 10 years’ time?’’

Shays Shoes owner Wayne Shay, whose family has run the business since 1901, said lighting and other safety upgrades promised five years ago had not materialised.

“Crime has probably deteriorated in the past five years,’’ he said.

West End Traders Association President Peter Marinelli in 2019 when he spoke about the area’s security issues. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

West End Traders Association president Peter Marinelli, who spoke with Quest Newspapers five years ago after the Urbis report was released, said little had changed.

“We’re not talking serious crimes. Anti-social behaviour is the biggest thing but it is driving people away,’’ he said.

“I talk to a lot of locals and they don’t like what they are seeing.’’

Mr Marinelli welcomed a $250,000 Council upgrade to public toilets in People’s Park but said more cameras were needed.

He also said a decision by former The Gabba ward Councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan to remove street dining outside two restaurants near the landmark lizard sculpture had created a space where drinkers congregated.

Boundary St, West End. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

Boundary St, West End. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

“One of those (retail) spaces is now empty and they can’t lease it. Who would if you saw what happens outside at night?’’ he said.

The Queensland Police Service online crime map showed that in the past year there were about 160 property offences, eight robberies, one homicide and 117 drug, assault or good order offences along the strip, between the intersections of Browning and Brighton streets.

But Mr Marinelli said many break-ins and shoplifting incidents were not reported and therefore not counted in the statistics.

A QPS spokesman said West End had a designated Beat Officer who regularly engaged with business owners and members of the community.

Police at West End Lodge on Boundary St after an incident. Picture: Liam Kidston

“West End police station rosters designated foot, vehicle and bicycle patrols of Boundary St, as well as the entire West End police division.

“As well as responding to crime when it happens, QPS works with communities to prevent crime.

“Specialist Crime Prevention officers provide information and advice on property security and personal safety.

“Community members can also request a Mobile Police Beat to be deployed to a preferred location, as needed, providing greater access and support from policing resources, as well as a high-visibility presence in hotspots.’’

He said South Brisbane Police were committed to ensuring the West End, as well as the larger community, was safe and said evidence-based patrols and community engagements would continue within the area.

Cr Trina Massey with Jonathan Sriranganathan at Bunyapa Park, West End, after she was announced last year as replacing Mr Sriranganathan on council. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Greens Councillor Trina Massey, who replaced Mr Sriranganathan last year in The Gabba ward, said securing funding to upgrade the People’s Park kiosk was one of her first actions as councillor.

“Upgrading the kiosk will provide increased community outreach opportunities and ensure service providers are better able to support people doing it tough,” she said.

“We know the evidence proves the best way to prevent crime is to ensure everyone in our community has stable housing and enough food on their plate.

“I would welcome a meeting with West End community groups, the local traders association, service providers and other key stakeholders to collaborate on potential future solutions for Boundary St.

“Unfortunately, the report produced by consultancy agency Urbis in 2019 did not involve the whole community and did not garner community support.”