Sad reason this city’s Coles has been transformed into a fortress at night
This major supermarket has been transformed into a secure fortress at night in response to a youth crime epidemic engulfing one of Australia’s most iconic cities.
A major supermarket has been transformed into a secure fortress at night, as a youth crime epidemic continues to engulf one of Australia’s most iconic cities.
Coles in downtown Alice Springs is the latest business to resort to putting full roll-down security screens on all of its windows, in a bid to combat vandalism and break-in attempts.
Measures like this are becoming so common that locals have come to refer to Alice as ‘Roller Shutter City’.
The town – which is the gateway to Uluru – has become a hotbed of crime in recent years where stolen cars, robberies, violent assaults, vandalism and gangs of youths roaming the street are almost nightly occurrences.
Local group Action for Alice has been lobbying for change and last summer, Alice Springs was thrust into the national consciousness after fed-up residents sparked media coverage, which culminated in a visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
In January, Mr Albanese promised action “as soon as possible” but said there were no “easy, off-the-shelf solutions”.
“It is not just about alcohol. It is about employment, about service delivery, about getting staff on the ground,” he said.
But issues persisted after the PM’s departure and locals say they’ve only gotten worse, despite claims of progress by the Northern Territory Government.
Stephen Halleron from Evolve Electrical installed the screens at Coles and a video of them activating at night, shared to Facebook, has now gone viral.
“At the moment, with the increasing crime rate, we will see more and more of these shutters required in residential premises and commercial properties over the next few years,” Mr Halleron told news.com.au.
“The bulk of our work comes from the increase crime [and demand for] roller shutters, roller gates, security lights and so on.”
That media attention of last summer has long faded and promises of assistance from governments and a crackdown by authorities have been “constantly broken”, Mr Halleron said.
Locals feel like “we’ve been left behind”, he said, and Alice Springs is now “a failed system”.
“The town is still hurting … but nothing gets reported anymore. Nothing gets done.”
In a statement, Coles said the installation of roller shutters followed similar measures by many local businesses.
“Coles has a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores including CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in Alice Springs we installed these roller shutters in line with other businesses in the area.”
Frustrated locals say the worsening crisis has seen tourism decimated and forced some locals to leave town.
For businessowners, trying to attract staff to the Red Centre is difficult “because no one wants to come and live here”, Mr Halleron said.
“Action needs to happen as soon as possible, as there’s a limit, I believe, on how much people can take until something will explode,” he warned.
Comments on the video of the Coles security screens show fever-pitch anger among those who call Alice home.
“The little darlings will take it as a challenge,” one local wrote.
In response, another agreed that “there might be a bit of ongoing work there, I would bet”.
“At least up until … we do actually find a real government, who really are prepared to do the things, they tell us they are going to do.”
Another said: “So sad, especially when the business has to cover the cost for no fault of their own! The price of being in business in this town!”
Another remarked: “I don’t even think jail has this kind of security.
One user described being “sad to see Alice like this” when the town used to be “nice and friendly”.
As one local pointedly put it: “What a s*** hole.”
In response to the flood of comments, Evolve Electrical’s account commented that “Alice is still a great town, but something needs to be done”.”
“But it’s this or constant smashed windows and a costly repair bill every day I guess.”
NT Police was approached for comment for this story but did not respond.
In August, Acting Commander James Gray-Spence appeared on ABC Radio and promised this summer would be “markedly different”.
“For police, Operation Drina will continue, so that will be the high-visibility police … dedicated to being out there to reduce especially anti-social behaviour which we saw really peak in incidents over summer,” Acting Command Gray-Spence said.
“That’s that in-your-face stuff that really affects your perception of safety when you’re moving in and around those high public-use spaces.”
A “multi-agency approach” combining policing with support services from the NT Government would ensure a different climate this year.
Many locals say they aren’t holding their breath.
The NT Government was also approached for comment, but a response was not received.
Police Minister Kate Worden in August told the ABC that intervention programs on the ground in Alice Springs were working and the number of kids on the streets at night had “diminished quite significantly”.
More Coverage
“I’m never saying that we’ve finished the work that we’ve got to do, but we need to keep working with each of those kids,” Ms Worden said.
Alice Springs Mayor Matt Paterson was also invited to comment.
After this story was published, Mayor Paterson said via email: “Please understand my frustrations with you quoting that I was invited to comment, however you have only provided 24 hours and no follow up.”
Aussies brace for months of wild weather
Stronger cyclones, increased storm surges, and an early fire season are all headed for Australia in the coming months, with Aussies warned to get ready now.
Aussie city smashed by $18k rent hike
A new report has revealed the insane amount of money rent has increased across Australia’s capital cities since the pandemic.
Aurora australis makes stunning return
Check out stunning images of the Southern Lights which painted vibrant hues across Tasmania’s night sky.