By ALESHA CAPONE
HOBSONS Bay City Council will investigate safety and amenity at Harrington Square in Altona following a spate of crimes in the area.
At last week’s council meeting, newly-elected councillor Sandra Wilson put forward a motion to consider options to address ‘safety and amenity concerns at Harrington Square’ and work with traders on the issue.
“Harrington Square has experienced significant trauma over recent months and that’s following the bashing of Jill Brookes of Westside Stories in July and also as a result of a hold-up and robbery at the newsagents in Harrington Square,” Cr Wilson said.
“One of the first calls I received as a new councillor was from the owners of the newsagency and they asked me, ‘How can you help us?’ ”
Altona Traders’ Association president Kim Walsh said some businesses owners were disappointed when a motion by Cr Tony Briffa, to spend $38,000 on lights for Harrington Square’s rear, failed at last month’s council meeting.
“I’d like to stress Altona traders have been working with council officers over the past months to see what we can do about improving safety issues, removing graffiti and making Harrington Square a safer and more visually friendly place,” Mr Walsh said.
“There is still room for additional lighting especially along the laneway at the back where undesirables gather.”
Hobsons Bay Police Inspector Bill Mathers said officers have been undertaking additional patrols at Harrington Square.
“CCTV, especially at some of the exterior areas, should be a big benefit to us and lighting which would mean things can be seen better,” Insp Mathers said.
Star visited Harrington Square and asked the traders what the thought of the council’s motion.
Most of the traders said the area seemed fairly safe during the day, but they would welcome extra lighting, CCTV or more artwork to deter graffiti artists.
A shop employee said only being allowed to park for four hours at the square meant many workers were forced to walk further to their cars in the dark.
“Then the parking issue becomes a security issue,” she said.
“We have other issues – the lotto shop was robbed, the supermarket robbed, the pharmacy robbed, cars stolen – the kind of things which can happen anywhere.”
