Gang violence fears lead to homeowners installing bollards, spending thousands

TERRIFIED Tarneit and Casey residents are forking out almost $5000 on home security with some installing bollards in a bid to stop their cars being stolen, as fears over gang-related violence grow.

Russell Harrison has spent more than $5000 on home security. Picture: Tony Gough

MELBOURNE residents and businesses are forking out almost $5000 on home security because of gang-related violence fears.

Prowatch Security owner Arry Papoutsis said recent gang-related violence in areas such as Tarneit and Casey had heightened security fears for business owners and residents.

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“People are scared because in the past crime would be committed when people weren’t home but now crimes are taking place when they’re at home — and it’s terrifying for people,” Mr Papoutsis said.

He said residents were spending more than $2000, while businesses spent more than $3500.

Russell Harrison, who tackled a violent burglar who was robbing and bashing his female neighbour in Frankston which ended in the intruder’s death, told the Leader there was a problem with gang-related violence and crime in Melbourne

“I’ve spent almost $5000 on home security including CCTV and an alarm system because it’s better to be safe than sorry,” Mr Harrison said.

Bollards have been installed at homes in Melbourne to protect against car theft.

Tarneit resident Arnav Sati, who started a change.org petition asking the State Government to act on crime in Melbourne — which has racked up more than 16,000 signatures — said people were spending almost $5000 on home security systems.

“People are fearful in their own homes and to walk the streets at night. It has to stop because we deserve the right to feel safe in our community,” Mr Sati said.

In a Facebook poll, conducted by Casey Crime Page for the Leader, 136 people said they would spend $501-$1000 on home security, 95 people said they would spend $251-$500, while only three said they would spend more than $1500.

Casey Crime Page administrator Aaron Grant said residents were fearful of gang-related violence.

“It’s an ongoing issue for Casey residents and that’s why we do our best to help with solving crime and we’ve had so many success stories,” Mr Grant said.

Clyde North resident Nikolina, last name withheld, said she spent $1600 on bollards to protect her cars.

“We bought them due to all the reports of car thefts and break-ins in our area and it’s better to safe than sorry,” she said.

Bollards Direct owner Sam Surace said he had sold more than 3000 bollards to residents and businesses across Melbourne.

“People love them because they can sleep at night knowing their premises are protected,” Mr Surace said.

Wyndham Council’s safer community’s portfolio holder Cr Kim McAliney said the council had heard residents’ concerns about reported violence in their municipality.

“Residents have a right to feel safe in their own community and we are working closely with local police to provide whatever assistance we can,” Cr McAliney said.

She said the council was not in a position to commit to installing any additional CCTV cameras in Wyndham.

“Evidence suggests that CCTV cameras do not reduce incidents of crime in public spaces,” she said.

Damage to a house after a party got out of hand at an AirBnB in Werribee recently. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Dandenong Council acting community services director Mandy Gatliff said the council had received no complaints from residents in the past six months regarding gang-related violence.

“The City of Greater Dandenong currently has 81 CCTV cameras operating across the municipality and another 23 will be installed this financial year. The additional cameras will be installed at locations across Springvale,” Ms Gatliff said.

Casey Council manager safer communities Caroline Bell said there had been no official complaints in relation to gangs in the municipality.