By Alesha Capone
DEER Park shop owners continue to trade in fear with efforts to clean up the streets still a “work in progress”.
During August, Star reported horror accounts from shopkeepers in the Deer Park Town Centre on Ballarat Rd, including newsagency owner Bruce Niblett who was bashed twice on separate occasions.
Other traders said armed robberies, drug dealing, prostitution and street violence were turning the shopping centre into “a ghetto”.
But action is being taken.
In September, the Deer Park Residents and Traders Association (DPRTA) formed and held a meeting with police and Brimbank City Council to begin an urgent campaign to address the problems.
They met again on Thursday at Sunshine police station where Senior Sergeant Mick Shaughnessy said the project was a “work in progress” but vowed improvements would happen soon.
“There’s been no more bashings, but six shops have had gang tags etched into their glass windows,” shop owner Vincent d’Argent said.
“The new real estate agent’s office, which has just been painted, is covered in graffiti. “People can’t park out the front and they refuse to come at six o’clock because it’s dark and they’ve been intimidated.
“I called police about the graffiti tagging on six windows and no-one turned up in three days.
Mr d’Argent said if the situation did not improve he would close his store by Christmas and added that he was frustrated that the council had not repaired a light out the front of his shop.
Mr Niblett, whose business opens in the early hours of the morning, said due to safety concerns, he had arranged for newspaper deliverers to keep watch for each other while they loaded their vans.
“I reckon things have quietened over the last few months,” he said.
“It’s quiet now because it’s cold. In a few weeks I’ll start getting hassled again.
“I know everyone’s upbeat, but I’m scared. I’m scared for the next few months.”
Les Tarczon, from the DPRTA said some of the youths who spend time at the shopping strip looked 12 or 13 years old, while others sat in their cars and drank beer.
Les said he believed youth who frequent the shopping area call themselves the 3023 gang.
Sunshine police Senior Sergeant Mick Shaughnessy said officers have stepped up patrols in the area and were working with the area’s youth, by engaging them in meaningful activities.
“Our situation has improved to the extent we can put on additional patrol vehicles,” he said.
He also said police were encouraging alcohol licensees to try and make sure their liquor did not make its way into the hands of minors.
He said traders needed to work with their landlords and council to improve lighting and secure the rear of their properties.
