Adrian Schrinner asks Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to help homeless crisis

Urgent attempts by Brisbane City Council to stop rampant violence among homeless encampments in Musgrave Park have been escalated to Queensland’s police commissioner.

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Urgent attempts by Brisbane City Council to stop escalating violence among homeless encampments in Musgrave Park have been escalated to Queensland’s Police Commissioner as desperate campers with nowhere else to go reveal they are terrified for their safety.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has asked Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to step in after allegations of stabbings, fires and vandalism of electric barbecues at both Musgrave Park and Kurilpa

Homeless advocates say they are concerned of the growing number of people choosing to return to tents after being in motels for a long period of time.

A tent on fire at Musgrave Park. Photo: Supplied

While many in the park are frustrated that they have nowhere else to go Micah Projects chief executive Karyn Walsh said there were a number of reasons there could be issues including debts, property being stolen and relationships.

“The violence, as I say all the time, it’s up and down. There’s often incidences of violence that occur in the park,” Ms Walsh said.

“My view is it’s happening all the time, it’s just unreported, and there’s probably been more incidents, that have been more serious recently.

“People at the park itself, don’t talk about it. They are certainly feeling unsafe there.

“But any sort of encampment type area has these issues, they’re not safe. We need to keep working at how we can stop people living in the park,” she said.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said they conduct patrols at parks throughout the

South Brisbane and West End communities to ensure safety and to prevent or disrupt any anti-social behaviour.

Tents in a fenced off area at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane which has seen an escalation of fighting and unsociable behaviour according to council complaints.

“The QPS encourages members of the public to report anti-social or suspicious behaviour to their local police station or via Policelink,” she said.

“The Police Commissioner was contacted by Lord Mayor Schrinner and committed to the QPS continuing to work with the council and other agencies to address homelessness.”

She said there had not been a notable increase in calls for service around Musgrave Park or Kurilpa Point Park recently.

“Police, the Brisbane City Council and various partner agencies and NGOs engage proactively to support rough sleepers and where possible assist with transitioning people into housing,” she said.

A resident of Musgrave Park who did not want to be identified over fears for her safety due to the escalating violence, said she was hoping to be moved into temporary housing.

Alisha Risley who has been living inside a tent at Musgrave park for more two years said there has been an escalation in drug fuelled violence among residents.

Musgrave Park resident Alisha has noticed an increase in fighting and unsociable behaviour amongst the South Brisbane homeless community.

“It’s horrible there has been so much violence, it has gotten worse with the drug thing,” Ms Risley said.

“People get way too angry.”

Ms Risley said she was near the tent that caught fire last week and some of her items were lost in the blaze and she tearfully told The Courier-Mail that she has been struggling to find appropriate housing options.

“The houses that are available for everyone, have drug affected people living there, it’s probably worse than in the park,” she said.

“I know everyone around me, and I’m familiar with the area.”

On October 14, a tent was destroyed from a large fire.

Workers fix a damaged electrical box that controls security lighting in Kurilpa Park.

Alex Betts told The Courier-Mail at the time he was living in the tent with his mate before it was destroyed in the fire. “It was me and my mate’s tent. It was pretty much our hang out area,” he said.

A Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public works spokesman said the Brisbane Critical Response Team visit Musgrave Park and Kurilpa Bridge daily as part of the daily outreach.

“The CRT engage with those who are willing to accept supports, offering temporary accommodation and connection to support services,” he said.

“The department partners with QPS and council to ensure a co-ordinated response to known locations.”

Originally published as Adrian Schrinner asks Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to help homeless crisis