Pemulwuy: Cameras to target trolley dumpers
From trolley joy rides to youth gang complaints, a western Sydney community says it’s had enough of the crime in the suburb.
Parramatta
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Police insist crime is under control at Pemulwuy despite complaints about a youth gang loitering around the shopping centre.
Shopkeepers and a woman, who did not wished to be named, said the youths allegedly pushed an autistic child, defaced property and were vandalising signs near the lake.
“These kids don’t care,’’ she said.
“They’re not worried, they’re not scared of anything.
“The community needs to speak up.’’
But Cumberland police crime co-ordinator Mark Kneipp said problems were contained.
“I don’t think it’s out of control,’’ he said.
“I do know that there’s a bunch of kids that target certain other kids with intimidation and bullying but a lot of these young people have been identified.
“Measures have been put in place.’’
TROLLEY TARGETS
It might be a minor nuisance compared with other crimes but trolley dumping is plaguing Pemulwuy and youths are trashing the lake after they go on “joy rides” in the carts.
Cumberland Deputy Mayor Eddy Sarkis wants a barrier installed near the path
outside the Allan Ezzy Community Centre that leads to the lake.
“. It’s a straight run down and what has been reported is that teenagers are putting their friends in the trolleys and pushing them down until they get to the road,’’ he said.
“They cross the road and when they finish their little joy ride, they’re throwing the trolleys in the pond and it’s not a cheap exercise to go out there every two weeks and clean it up.”
The council is investigating ways to block trolleys on the walkway without impeding pedestrian access, and could ask Woolworths to lock the carts.
It will also install CCTV cameras at Pemulwuy Lake in an effort to stop illegal dumping.
Last month, the council recovered 12 trolleys from the lake during a clean up of carts across western Sydney.