By Afraa Kori
Businesses, residents and ratepayers are urgently calling for immediate action to address the escalating crime and violence in the Pakenham Main Street and John Street areas.
Over recent months, the community has faced an alarming increase in break-ins, assaults, vandalism, graffiti, two separate shootings and gang activity, with crime levels now at their worst in over 15 years.
“This is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable in a public space. The community should not have to live in fear of such extreme violence occurring in their neighbourhoods,” the petition states.
Businesses in the area are being targeted nightly, with windows smashed, property stolen, and individuals openly committing crimes with little to no consequence.
“We’re small business-run owners, so it affects more, it’s heartbreaking. We have an excess that we’ve got to all come up with, but it’s not even our fault, it’s just ridiculous,” Sandra Evans, owner of Toyworld Pakenham said.
“They need to look at the penalties that they’re dishing out for repeat offenders. They need to have more consideration for the people whose lives are affected, because clearly they don’t care,” added Jackie Farrington, owner of Lazy Frog Gifts.
Traders believe the broader issue lies in the insufficient response from the council, Pakenham Marketplace Management, local MPs, the police and courts.
“Locals and business owners in the area deserve better. We are paying inflated rates and fees without receiving the necessary action to protect our community. Our concerns have been ignored for too long, and we demand change now,” the petition states.
“Local police are stretched beyond capacity, responding to daily call-outs but stating their hands are tied without greater intervention from local government and higher authorities.”
“It is also very concerning that parliamentary members have offices in this area, yet nothing is happening to address these issues.”
Pakenham resident Aidan, who participated in the recent Star News Group election survey, highlighted that “a more ruthless and harder approach is needed to get this country back on track”.
He recently moved from Narre Warren South seeking a quieter, more comfortable life in Pakenham, yet the issue remains—there’s no escaping it; it’s unavoidable.
“Being a father of two with a wife who is a stay at home mother, I have to work long hours at night. I worry constantly that my wife and kids will be targeted in the next home invasion,” Aidan said.
Cardinia Shire Council Mayor, Cr Jack Kowarzik said “the safety of our community is very important to Council, which is why we take a collaborative approach with Victoria Police and other agencies towards addressing safety in the Shire and supporting local crime prevention”.
“We have a good presence of CCTV across our Shire that supports our community to feel safer and enjoy public spaces with greater peace of mind,” Kowarzik said.
“Through our Public Realm Strategy, that shapes the long-term vision to revitalise Pakenham’s town centre, we have a focus on crime prevention design to improve key safety issues highlighted by the community such as improved lighting and more CCTV locations, better pedestrian connections and increasing the number of people on the street to create an environment that supports passive surveillance.
“We continue to advocate with all levels of Government for funding for crime prevention design and treatments, including CCTV to its public places and spaces to support the safety of the community.”
Former mayor and now Federal Labor candidate for La Trobe Jeff Springfield said “the only people in our community who should be living in fear are those perpetrators who conduct this criminal activity”.
“The State government has recently professed that more needs to be done on this matter and they have acted,” he said.
“Victoria will now have the toughest bail laws in the country, putting community safety above all and delivering consequences for those who break the law.
“If I am elected as your new MP for La Trobe, one of my first course of actions will be to hold Town Hall meeting. To hear first hand from our local community about their ideas of action. I believe we need to embrace a whole of community approach towards improving these issues into the future. Including a strong focus on prevention and mitigation to help prevent more crimes before they ever occur.”
La Trobe MP Jason Wood is concerned the situation in Pakenham has not improved and there are no consequences for assaults, home invasions, and carjackings.
“Residents feel like they are living in a lawless society. Police keep making arrests, but violent offenders are repeatedly released on bail,” he said.
“A Dutton-led government would work with the States to deliver strong bail laws and tackle knife crime. We will deport non-citizens who commit violent crimes. We will work with states and territories to develop uniform knife laws across all jurisdictions.“
Sign the petition: change.org/p/urgent-action-required-to-address-rising-crime-in-pakenham-s-main-street-area?source_location=search
