Suburban crime fighting collective forms to fund private security patrol amid Bayside crime wave
Melbourne Bayside residents are preparing to dip into their own wallets to fund private security to patrol the streets at night, in a radical move born out of fear and frustration as crime surges.
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Terrified Brighton residents are planning to self-fund a $300,000-a-year security presence to clamp down on out-of-control crime in the area.
A suburban crime-fighting collective has come together to fund a full time private security patrol amid the worsening Bayside crime wave.
Under the plan, private security would patrol streets between 7pm and 6am seven nights a week.
Residents would also have direct access to security patrols and personalised support including monitoring homes during absences.
And security officers would provide a “rapid response” to unfolding crimes.
Organisers behind the private security push are calling for 200 households to contribute $30-a-week to fund the radical plan.
“Brighton has recently seen a concerning rise in criminal activity, including home invasions, vehicle thefts, and break-ins, leaving many residents feeling unsafe,” advertising for the plan said.
“By pooling resources, residents can access this critical service at an affordable cost, creating a safer and more secure neighbourhood for everyone.”
Shadow treasurer and Brighton MP, James Newbury, said the plan highlighted critical failings to keep locals safe.
“Victorians are sleeping with one eye open because we know our streets aren’t safe,” he said.
“We know it could be our house that is home invaded tonight.
“Bayside has given up on waiting for Labor to stop ignoring crime and have been forced to pay for private security.
“It’s just outrageous that Jacinta Allan has failed so badly that everyday people are now forced to privately pay to have their suburbs patrolled.”
Serious aggravated burglaries and assaults have become a mainstay of life in the Bayside area.
Latest data showed 116 burglaries were last year committed across Brighton alone – more than two a week.
Last weekend, a Brighton resident was beaten with a meat cleaver by two intruders during a terrifying home invasion.
The man, who did not want to be identified, told the Herald Sun he woke to the men kicking down his door shortly after 5am on Sunday.
He suffered a broken finger and facial injuries in the assault, which included being hit over the head with the handle of a meat cleaver.
Police allege a 39-year-old St Kilda man also attempted to break into several other properties in nearby St Kilda St and Blairgowie St before he was eventually arrested in Holmwood Ave.
The Bayside City Council has repeatedly written to the government urging police resources be diverted to the crime-plagued area.
In January Bayside Mayor Hanna EI Mouallem demanded government intervention after his Brighton home was targeted.
“Like the rest of my community, we are deeply troubled by the severity and brazenness of these crimes,” Mr El Mouallem said in the letter.
“Bayside is experiencing an alarming increase in burglaries and home invasions, some involving serious physical harm to residents and all impacting our community’s sense of safety.”
Do you feel safe? Tell us your story at news@heraldsun.com.au
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