Cooks Hill: Young Street residents call for prevention and solutions to high crime rate

Stabbings, a murder, domestic violence disputes, drug deals, public urination... a troubled street in Newcastle has had its fair share of problems and residents are fed up.

Just last month there was a shooting murder across the street in broad daylight.

Not to mention recent stabbings, domestic violence disputes, drug deals, public urination and petty theft.

Not surprisingly, residents on Young St, at Cooks Hill say they are constantly having to call police because they have fears for their safety.

“It’s very grubby, highest level of crime I have seen,” one resident who wanted to remain anonymous said.

“There’s a lot of drug activity happening here. There’s a lack of police presence.

“A lot of drunk and disorderly, groups of young boys urinating in the park in broad daylight.

“It’s behaviour that makes you feel very uncomfortable,” they said.

Young St used to join Darby St at the local nursery, but it has now been blocked off and is a dead end, similar to a cul-de-sac, which is also opposite the housing commission units.

Local residents are banding together to get something done about the rampant crime in the area and lack of prevention, sick of the constant threat of violence outside their doorstep.

Police at a murder scene in Darby street, just opposite Young St in Cooks Hill. Picture by Peter Lorimer

“It’s escalated over last 12 months where there has been routine, intense issues, violence in the street, theft, the obvious and blatant trafficking of narcotics,” another resident, who also wanted to remain anonymous through fear of reprisal, said.

“Routinely people, or groups of people, live out of their cars in the street and also have a presence in housing units.

“There’s some nasty stuff and we’re trying to stamp it out.”

They have engaged Newcastle councillors Kath Elliott and John Church to help them create some momentum, with plans to deliver a range of solutions in that area.

Newcastle Independent councillor Kath Elliott involved in the push to get Young St safer. Credit: Facebook

“The premise of us engaging council wasn’t to criticise social housing, we’re looking for a few measures to deter some of the rampant activity that is difficult to raise a family,” the local resident explained.

Some of the options include public security cameras and signage to offer deterrence, vehicle safety management such as speed humps down the street, and increased police presence.

Also working with people in the housing commission opposite their street to ensure a safer community.

“There’s a lot of young families that live in that street, concerned about noise, traffic, safety of their children, what their children are exposed to,” Independent councillor Kath Elliott said.

“Residents would like to work with people living in the housing commission flats who are also concerned and build the community spirit.”

There’s also calls to remove the Telstra payphone, which is free to use, and a hive for criminal activity.

“They do their (drug) deals there and the calls are untraceable so they tend to be a magnet for unsavoury characters. Now the payphone is free it’s probably even worse,” she said.

While the creation of a local neighbourhood watch in the area, could be beneficial.

“It’s a multi agency response,” Cr Elliott added.

“Why don’t we coordinate bringing these people together and see how we can progress options and solutions.

“It’s just about stopping any unsavoury behaviour happening in this location.”

The Newcastle News contacted Newcastle Police about the high crime rate in the area, but they are yet to comment.