HASTINGS – Frustration over youth crime and bail laws reached boiling point last Friday the 7th of Febuary when more than approximately 100 residents from Mornington Peninsula gathered in protest outside the home of a teenager allegedly involved in a recent gun scare in Somerville.
The teenager is one of the individuals accused of terrorising locals at Somerville Central Shopping Centre, reportedly brandishing imitation firearms and even pointing a fake gun at a mother and her child. Despite being charged, he was released on bail the same day, sparking widespread outrage within the community.
The protest in Hastings, was fuelled by growing discontent with what locals describe as lenient crime and bail laws under the Victorian Labor Government as the region grapples with unpresidented levels of crime. Protesters also voiced their dissatisfaction with the perceived inaction of Member for Hastings, Paul Mercurio MP.
STPL News was on the scene, speaking to residents about their concerns.
Stevalon, a Hastings resident from Salmon Street, who voted for Labor in the last State election, expressed his disappointment.
“I’m just told today that something happened in Somerville, and I’m actually quite disappointed it happened. I actually sympathise with all these people, and I think the bail laws are virtually weak as piss – and that’s the government’s fault.”
When asked what he hoped would come from the protest, he called for government accountability.
“Well, I think the government should be doing its job properly, and they’re not. It’s just like in Queensland—there’s the same problem there, but they’re doing something about it now because the Labor government got tossed out. I think the Labor government should get tossed out here because they’re weak as piss.”
“They’ve been like that for many, many years, and hopefully the Liberals will do something. I won’t be voting—politicians are not very good. They used to be many years ago, but now what they stand for is just virtually not what I want.”
On local representation, Stevalon shared his disappointment in Paul Mercurio’s performance as the Member for Hastings.
“Well, I voted for him, you know, because he sounded like a decent person. But like I’ve said, the State and the Labor government are very disappointing.”
Another local, who wished to remain anonymous, stressed the long-term impact of youth crime.
“We need this to stop, mate. Protect our young ones, because otherwise our young ones are going to grow up doing the same shit, you know? It’s going to be fing scary if they’re all running around on drugs, doing the sort of stuff they are.”
One woman at the protest, accompanied by her two young children, revealed that the same boy had allegedly assaulted other children just after Christmas, robbing them of their presents.
“I don’t let my kids play out the front anymore. I’m too scared the same thing could happen to them,”
She said.
As frustration mounts, protesters have indicated that their next step will be a demonstration outside the office of Paul Mercurio MP next Friday, demanding action on crime and bail laws.
With tensions running high, one message was clear: locals have had enough and are not backing down.
Author
-
-
-
-
-
