Neighbours ‘terrorised’ by abusive out-of-control youths
Neighbours of a Dandenong care home say they’re under siege from unsupervised youths who sniff aerosols and throw TVs, scissors and other items at them. And they say police and paramedics are called to the centre almost every day.
South East
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Groups of unsupervised youths at a residential care home are running riot in a Dandenong street, with some people being forced to move out due to ongoing violence and substance abuse.
Neighbours living in the street, which can’t be named for legal reasons, say it’s been plagued for almost six months with dozens of young people hurling abuse at residents and teens sniffing aerosol cans on the facility’s rooftop.
They have also been wreaking havoc by throwing large items including a bedhead, TV and road-sign pole into neighbouring yards.
Residents on the street have told Leader they’ve met with facility manager Anglicare on several occasions, but say they are “furious” as nothing is being done to stop the behaviour.
One elderly man, who can’t be named, said he was “living in fear” after being terrorised daily by the youths.
“They come up to my window at night and just stand there and abuse me. They’ve put their fingers across their throat on my doorstep – saying ‘we’re going to kill you’,” he said.
“They continuously throw all sorts of things over the fence and into other neighbouring houses. On one occasion they threw scissors at the neighbours behind me while children were playing in the yard.”
He said they had also kicked in his fence several times and thrown poles on the road for cars to drive over.
“But we can’t do anything about it despite numerous calls to authorities,” he said.
Another neighbour said he was assaulted by the youths after confronting them.
“I was driving past and they were sniffing cans on the roof – I told them to stop. They then ran to my car and pushed me over onto the road – we have had enough,” he said.
The neighbour said police and paramedics were being called to the facility almost every day.
“We are really scared someone is going to get hurt really soon if something is not done. “Several neighbours are selling up and leaving because no family wants their children to grow up in this dangerous environment.”
Anglicare Victoria chief executive Paul McDonald said he could not comment on individual child protection cases.
“Anglicare Victoria has been providing care and support to vulnerable young people in this neighbourhood successfully for many years, and has enjoyed a positive relationship with the local community,” Mr McDonald said.
“We are aware, and appreciate the recent concerns raised by local residents and it is important to Anglicare Victoria that we continue our relationship and working with the neighbourhood in the successful running of this home.”
A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said every Victorian had the right to feel safe in their own home.
“We’re working closely with Anglicare to make sure these concerns are resolved as soon as possible,” the spokeswoman said.
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“The department has robust policies and procedures in place to make sure any complaints received are dealt with swiftly and effectively.”
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police in Greater Dandenong worked closely with partner agencies to address any issues that occurred at residential care facilities.