Residents of the small suburb of Maddington in Perth are fed up with escalating crime and antisocial behavior in their community. At a recent community meeting, over 150 people shared their stories of violence, threats, theft, and drug use, calling on the government and police to take action. One resident shared her experience of living next to violent neighbors for two years before they were evicted, despite numerous complaints. Another mother described how her children had been broken into multiple times and now lived in fear, with spikes around their fence for protection.
Locals believe that a small section of public housing tenants is responsible for the increase in crime in the suburb. Stories were shared of residents being attacked with hammers, intimidated by youths, and even having feces smeared on their property. Many questioned why these disruptive individuals were not being evicted from their public housing, as they continue to terrorize the neighborhood. The Deputy Director General of the Department of Communities attended the meeting, stating that they investigate disruptive behavior complaints and take action when necessary.
However, community members argue that the department’s complaints procedure and the Residential Tenancies Act need updating, as complaints must come from immediate neighbors to be considered valid strikes against a tenant. Many residents are too scared to speak up out of fear of retaliation from the troublemakers. City of Gosnells Councillor Glenn Dewhurst highlighted the widespread fear in the community, with many residents too afraid to leave their homes after dark. Despite some reduction in certain crimes, such as burglaries, Maddington continues to experience issues with theft and family violence.
WA Police acknowledged the challenges in addressing the issues in Maddington, stating that they are working hard to combat crime in the area. They noted that it is not always possible for officers to attend community events, such as the recent meeting, due to competing priorities. A petition has been launched to urge the government to take action, and further meetings are planned to continue the dialogue on how to address the escalating crime crisis in Maddington. Residents are seeking solutions to ensure their safety and peace of mind in their neighborhood.
