A $1.8 million plaza closed by council has become a flashpoint in a war of words over police resources in Sydney's west.
Fairfield council closed the plaza in a bid to stop antisocial behaviour at the site.Police Minister Yasmin Catley hit back at comments by Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone that police were being under-resourced in Western Sydney. Ms Catley said more police recruits had been deployed to Fairfield than any other area in Sydney's west. Cr Carbone made the comments after council closed a public plaza in the area in a bid to crack down on antisocial behaviour.Share article NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley has hit back at a Western Sydney mayor's allegation the government was under-resourcing police in his area, slamming it as 'absolute garbage'.
Fairfield Council recently closed a public plaza near the train station over concerns about antisocial behaviour. Mayor Frank Carbone said there was a lack of police officers in Western Sydney and council were forced to close the plaza in a decision they made with local police.ABC News: Declan Bowring'There's issues to do with alcohol, even in the past we've had assaults,' Cr Carbone said on Friday. 'I don't know where Chris Minns has put the police, but they're not out here in Western Sydney.'
Ms Catley told 702 ABC Sydney Breakfast that 64 new police recruits had been deployed to Fairfield, the highest allocation across the region.'The notion from the mayor that police are not being deployed to Western Sydney is absolute garbage,' Ms Catley said. 'Trying to alarm the community with this rhetoric does nothing to assist calm and does nothing to assist the police.' Ms Catley disputed the Mayor's account that police were involved in the decision to fence off the plaza, and that assaults and robbery were no higher than in other areas around the police area command.
('They had no idea that they were going to ... put a fence around that,' Ms Catley said. 'Over the years, there have been a couple of significant assaults, but it is certainly not the case that the police are having to go there regularly.' Fairfield's Crescent Plaza was opened in 2016 as a modern open space at a cost of $1.8 million, according to the council.(Fairfield locals who spoke with 702 ABC Sydney said they noticed groups gathering in the plaza through the day, occasionally playing loud music. Emily Ho who manages a neighbouring convenience store said people in the plaza would drink, often urinate in the back lane behind her store and steal from the store.
Convenience store manager Emily Ho said people had been shoplifting after drinking in the neighbouring plaza.'From the day of the park opening, people gathering drinking from early until late,' Ms Ho said. 'When they're drunk, they come steal the stuff ... we can't deal with them because its dangerous for us.'Maria Castro says antisocial behaviour is an issue in other parts of Fairfield.Maria Castro, who has lived in the area for 14 years, said she noticed antisocial behaviour in other parts of Fairfield. 'The plaza on Station Street is new, but I cannot take my grandchildren there because there are teenagers all the time, swearing fighting.'
Ron Mack said he had not seen signs of antisocial activity but noticed when a group were playing loud music.
Fairfield Plaza Closed Crescent Plaza Closed Police Fairfield Frank Carbone Nsw Police Frank Carbone Yasmin Catley Police Minister Crescent Plaza Western Sydney Police Presence Western Sydney Police Resources
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Three men arrested and weapons seized after police chase in Sydney's westThe occupants of the allegedly stolen Audi threw fuel jerry cans from the car onto the M4 Motorway while trying to evade police, officers say.
Read more »
Police Arrest Three After Sydney Car Chase, Linking Vehicle to Shootings and FirebombingsThree men were apprehended in Sydney after a high-speed police chase. Authorities allege the stolen vehicle used in the chase is connected to a series of shootings and firebombings across the city. The chase involved the Audi failing to stop, discarding fuel and bleach containers, and ultimately ending with the suspects fleeing on foot before being caught with the assistance of PolAir and the Dog Squad. Firearms were also found in the vehicle.
Read more »
Sydney Police Investigate Linked Drive-By Shootings in Punchbowl and GreenacrePolice are investigating two linked drive-by shootings that occurred overnight in Sydney's west, targeting homes in Punchbowl and Greenacre. No injuries were reported, but authorities believe the incidents are related and are seeking public assistance.
Read more »
Three Arrested After Police Chase Leads to 'Kill Car' Discovery in SydneyA dramatic police chase in Western Sydney ended with the arrest of three men and the seizure of a vehicle allegedly linked to a series of shootings and firebombings. The Audi, described by police as a 'kill car,' contained firearms and cloned number plates. The men face multiple charges.
Read more »
Police probe if Sydney 'kill car' was being driven by crime crew for hireDetectives are investigating if the crew was planning to carry out an underworld hit with the pistol and rifle allegedly found in the stolen Audi.
Read more »
Child rapist who sparked Sydney police manhunt denied bailA convicted child rapist who sparked a massive police manhunt after escaping from a hospital has been denied bail.
Read more »