ID :
82890
Sat, 10/03/2009 - 20:47
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/82890
The shortlink copeid
Youth violence escalating: Twentyman
A late night shooting in Melbourne's west is the latest warning sign that youth
violence in the area is escalating out of control, a leading youth worker says.
Two men in their 20s were lucky to escape injury when the 2am (AEST) shooting sent
four bullets into their St Albans home. The Collins Street residence had its front
window broken as the bullets shot through the house and became lodged in a bedroom
wall.
Investigators haven't ruled out the possibility that the shooting is a random
attack, a police spokesman said.
"This proves just how very critical the situation really is in this particular
area," Melbourne social worker Les Twentyman told AAP on Saturday.
"It's becoming a terrible ghetto for gangs and weapons and drugs. Kids from St
Albans, they're carrying knives because they're scared.
"And now it's bubbling and spiralling out of control. It's of grave concern."
Mr Twentyman said the fact no one was hurt in the shooting doesn't make it any less
serious.
"If it was your house that was shot up you wouldn't treat it like it was nothing."
St Albans was identified as a hot spot of city violence in police figures leaked
back in August.
The figures showed youth from Melbourne's west and north were committing many of the
violent crimes in the city centre - with St Albans identified as one of the worst
areas outside of the CBD.
Residents have long complained that the area is under-resourced as unemployment
remains high.
St Albans youth have been linked to several high-profile incidents, with an
18-year-old man being charged over a murder at a football ground in February and a
19-year-old facing charges for a train station bashing in March.
Molotov cocktails have been thrown into a family's home in a St Albans dispute while
a drug raid last week netted 100kg of cannabis and a large sum of money. A massive
burglary ring was recently smashed in September.
Police targeted the suburb's train station in a July crackdown on the area's links
to street violence, but the police union says it is still one of the state's worst
areas with critically low policing levels.
Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Greg Davies says at least 89 more
officers are required for the area and surrounding suburbs.
"Without these extra resources, police continue to be stretched beyond their limit,"
he said.
"The only solution is to provide more police and put them where they are needed most
- on the street."
But Mr Twentyman, who has worked with youth in the area, said the solution is not
only to bring in more officers but to hire a huge surge of community workers.
His comments come less then a month after he joined forces with rock singer Angry
Anderson and Father Bob Maguire to condemn street assaults.
The trio's national campaign targets gangs and a weapon-carrying culture Mr
Twentyman says is part of the state government's failure to combat escalating
violence.
The local Brimbank council was sacked recently after an independent inspector found
a continued culture of misconduct.
violence in the area is escalating out of control, a leading youth worker says.
Two men in their 20s were lucky to escape injury when the 2am (AEST) shooting sent
four bullets into their St Albans home. The Collins Street residence had its front
window broken as the bullets shot through the house and became lodged in a bedroom
wall.
Investigators haven't ruled out the possibility that the shooting is a random
attack, a police spokesman said.
"This proves just how very critical the situation really is in this particular
area," Melbourne social worker Les Twentyman told AAP on Saturday.
"It's becoming a terrible ghetto for gangs and weapons and drugs. Kids from St
Albans, they're carrying knives because they're scared.
"And now it's bubbling and spiralling out of control. It's of grave concern."
Mr Twentyman said the fact no one was hurt in the shooting doesn't make it any less
serious.
"If it was your house that was shot up you wouldn't treat it like it was nothing."
St Albans was identified as a hot spot of city violence in police figures leaked
back in August.
The figures showed youth from Melbourne's west and north were committing many of the
violent crimes in the city centre - with St Albans identified as one of the worst
areas outside of the CBD.
Residents have long complained that the area is under-resourced as unemployment
remains high.
St Albans youth have been linked to several high-profile incidents, with an
18-year-old man being charged over a murder at a football ground in February and a
19-year-old facing charges for a train station bashing in March.
Molotov cocktails have been thrown into a family's home in a St Albans dispute while
a drug raid last week netted 100kg of cannabis and a large sum of money. A massive
burglary ring was recently smashed in September.
Police targeted the suburb's train station in a July crackdown on the area's links
to street violence, but the police union says it is still one of the state's worst
areas with critically low policing levels.
Police Association secretary Senior Sergeant Greg Davies says at least 89 more
officers are required for the area and surrounding suburbs.
"Without these extra resources, police continue to be stretched beyond their limit,"
he said.
"The only solution is to provide more police and put them where they are needed most
- on the street."
But Mr Twentyman, who has worked with youth in the area, said the solution is not
only to bring in more officers but to hire a huge surge of community workers.
His comments come less then a month after he joined forces with rock singer Angry
Anderson and Father Bob Maguire to condemn street assaults.
The trio's national campaign targets gangs and a weapon-carrying culture Mr
Twentyman says is part of the state government's failure to combat escalating
violence.
The local Brimbank council was sacked recently after an independent inspector found
a continued culture of misconduct.
