Neighbours outraged over Dandenong West payphone dubbed ‘dial-a-dealer’
A Dandenong West payphone often used for drug deals has left neighbours fearing for their safety and demanding more police patrols.
South East
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A payphone dubbed “dial-a-dealer” in Dandenong West has neighbours outraged, with several people calling for increased police patrols in the area.
The Leader spoke to several locals who said the phone box on the corner of Hemmings and Weller streets, was a “haven” for drug dealers and users.
One neighbour, who was too scared to be named, said it was “common knowledge” the payphone was used for drug purposes.
“The area is rife for drug dealers and anti-social behaviour,” she said.
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the area needed an “urgent facelift”.
“It feels like other areas of Dandenong are getting attention but we are being left behind,” he said.
“The area attracts sex workers and the rooming house nearby has also driven anti-social behaviour.
“During summer the area was problematic and police were being called out frequently — neighbours were saying — it had become the wild west.”
Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said people living nearby had expressed concerns about ongoing crime and anti-social behaviour.
“While the crime rate in Dandenong has been trending down, residents are telling me in pockets such as the inner west crime is increasing and social issues are not being dealt with,” Cr Kirwan said.
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“The problem is getting worse because of lack of police attention, unregulated rooming houses, an apparent concentration of social housing and lack of social services needed to deal with endemic social problems.”
Greater Dandenong Council community services director Martin Fidler said the council was aware of community concerns around safety in Hemmings St and was working with police to address those issues.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Hannah McDonald said police were aware of concerns raised, but intelligence and patrols of the area had not shown that kind of activity commonly occurring.
“Local police regularly conduct proactive patrols in the Dandenong West area and respond to incidents in order to keep the community safe,” Ms McDonald said.