CBD black spot: Senior Coffs Harbour cop insists police are on to it
A senior Coffs Harbour policeman has responded to questions about one of the CBD’s notorious trouble spots.
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A senior Coffs Harbour policeman has responded to questions about one of the CBD’s notorious trouble spots - the Park Avenue laneway and carpark area near Woolworths.
Public drunkenness, shoppers being harassed for money and needles discarded in the public toilets are regular occurrences.
It’s been a trouble spot for years but recent photos shared by a frustrated business owner have reignited the issue.
Coffs Harbour City Council has installed security cameras in the area and Woolworths says the company has a zero-tolerance policy for team member abuse and that they provide CCTV footage to local police from time to time to support their investigations.
Coffs Clarence Police District Acting Commander, Guy Flaherty would not comment specifically on the area around Woolworths.
“Officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District conduct regular patrols throughout the entire Coffs Harbour town centre, targeting and observing anti-social behaviour and other crime activity,” acting superintendent Flaherty said.
“Discussions have been conducted with local police, local business owners and Coffs Harbour City Council in relation to issues within the area, including mitigating traffic flow.
“These discussions remain ongoing with all relevant parties.”
Hope for the Homeless founder and Mayoral candidate Dean Evers shared his thoughts on the problem recently saying how easy it is to get drugs in town.
Many readers say they avoid the area altogether and report being harassed as they enter and leave Woolworths.
The Advocate ran a poll asking readers if they avoid the Woolworths carpark and Park Ave laneway area.
89 people voted with 69 per cent saying they avoid the area.
In Woolworths stores across the country there has been a doubling in reports of assaults, prompting a trial of body cameras in several stores including Kempsey.
While some of these problems were related to panic buying at the height of the pandemic, the trials are being rolled out due to ongoing concerns.
Other NSW stores where the cameras are being trialled are Berala and Rosehill.
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