Penrith: Nepean Region Rotaract calls on council for action on youth crime
A western Sydney youth-led group has called for action against youth crime across their region, where children as young as 11 roam the streets at night armed with knives.
Penrith
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A youth-led western Sydney community group has called on leaders to address youth crime, following a number of incidents in the area including a beloved businessman’s alleged murder.
The Nepean Region Rotaract club – a youth-led division of the Rotary – has written to Penrith Mayor Todd Carney urging him to address the growing youth crime crisis affecting the local government area (LGA).
It comes after Kingswood business owner Sonmez Alagoz, 58, was stabbed and killed outside his shop on the Great Western Hwy on February 4. A 16-year-old boy has been charged and remains in custody over the alleged murder.
A letter penned to Mr Carney by the Rotaract club, which was published on social media, said youth crime in Penrith had reached “a critical point” and residents had been left “feeling unsafe in their own community”.
It referenced “trail bike gangs” running rampant and causing damage, and reports of a surge in violent altercations including a 14-year-old boy who allegedly threatened a guard inside a fast food outlet with a knife. It also pointed to the alleged murder of Mr Alagoz – which police believe was sparked by a dispute over a can of coke.
Business owners in the area surrounding Mr Alagoz’s shop told The Daily Telegraph they were living in fear of being targeted by young people, some refusing to go out after dark.
Data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) state the Penrith LGA’s most common youth crime was theft, with 921 youths dealt with between September 2019 and September 2024, followed by assault at 681 and crimes against justice procedures (which include breaching bail) at 673.
Nepean Region Rotaract president Jacob Gormley, 22, told this masthead a number of Rotaract members had reported run-ins with youths after dark, including one member who had a number of youths on bikes play a dangerous game of “chicken” with his car in St Marys on February 11.
Mr Gormley made suggestions to Penrith Council including bolstering and promoting youth intervention programs such as Penrith’s PCYC and Street University; stronger collaboration between council, police and community leaders and expanding employment pathways for young people.
He also suggested installing security cameras and keeping street lights on all night at council parks to deter youths from destroying property.
Mr Gormley, who grew up in housing commission in Hebersham, said parental and community accountability was crucial.
“I could have gone down a very drastic, different path, but I attribute where I am today to the guidance of not only my mother but my family,” he said.
He suggested parents of troubled children could be supported and educated on combating the issue with council-led programs.
Mr Carney, in a statement, said council already worked closely with support services, community organisations, business owners and police to prevent crime and support residents.
“Creating safe communities requires a broad range of approaches – from improving the built environment to working with vulnerable communities and providing opportunities for people to connect,” he said.
Council’s approach to the issue is guided by the Penrith Community Safety Plan which
includes a number of actions council is working on with stakeholders.
Mr Carney said council’s support of young people included the Penrith Youth Interagency, which has been operating for more than 20 years.
“Also, given the strong collaboration between the NSW Police Area Command and Council, the Community Safety Partnership and the NSW Police-led Penrith LGA Community Safety Precinct Committee were recently combined,” Mr Carney said.
“This combined forum – which also brings other community stakeholders together regularly – will help fast-track actions to respond to any local safety issues.”
He urged young people or youth advocates to complete an expression of interest form to get involved in youth programs broadly, as well as the current Youth-Led Action Plan.
“Designing future programs with young people at the helm will mean that the programs are fit for purpose and achieve the desired outcomes,” he said.
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