❓ Mr Hort asks about antisocial behaviour stemming from a public housing complex in Inglewood. The Minister for Police details increased police presence, collaboration with other ministers, and actions taken, including charges laid and barring notices issued.
AnsweredQoN 114Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Antisocial behaviour—Ninth Avenue, Inglewood
114. Mr Adam Hort to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
serious issues stemming from tenants at the public housing complex at Ninth
Avenue in Inglewood, which are impacting nearby residents and businesses.
(1) Can the minister detail how many times police
have been called out to the complex in the last three months?
(2) How many arrests and charges have been laid in
relation to these call-outs?
(3) How many additional police resources have had
to be dedicated to dealing with the serious issues caused by these bad tenants?
114. Mr Adam Hort to the Minister for Police:
I refer to the
serious issues stemming from tenants at the public housing complex at Ninth
Avenue in Inglewood, which are impacting nearby residents and businesses.
(1) Can the minister detail how many times police
have been called out to the complex in the last three months?
(2) How many arrests and charges have been laid in
relation to these call-outs?
(3) How many additional police resources have had
to be dedicated to dealing with the serious issues caused by these bad tenants?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I thank the member for the
question. There is no doubt that the police are working very conscientiously
and carefully with the local council and tenants in the area. Indeed, as the
Minister for Police, I am working with the Minister for Housing and Works on
this issue.
This is a tough issue. It is not
a pleasant issue. We understand the pressures and issues that tenants face. The
Minister for Housing and Works has explained how the state has a role and an
obligation in housing many people, and some of those people bring with them
dysfunctional lives, which can cause issues for neighbours. That is a known
issue, and it is something that we are very aware of. The government is taking
action. As the police minister, I can talk about the dramatically increased
police presence in the area, so much so—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Mr Reece Whitby: I would like to answer the question,
Mr Speaker. The police have put significant resources into this. Recently the
housing minister and I met with senior officers to review that response and
look at how we can improve things in the future, including licence restrictions
on a common area at the site and the installation of new surveillance cameras.
In terms of issues with housing, most people understand that there is a process
to go through. Whether you are a private landlord or a government housing agency,
the law requires that when evidence is produced in court, a magistrate will
decide whether or not to evict the tenants. We have more police on the beat
than ever before. Operation Saya has involved intensive action at this
particular address.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Mr Reece Whitby: Mr Speaker, I am happy to get to the
detail; I am going through that at the moment. But I am not helped by someone
who came to this Parliament saying that he would bring a new standard to it but
has ignored his own advice at every turn.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition! The question
has been asked. The minister is responding, and he can respond in any manner he
sees fit. If you are not happy with it, then you can ask another question, or
you have alternative methods of getting specific detail by putting questions on
notice. But as it stands now, this is a question without notice and the
minister is responding. Carry on, minister.
Mr Reece Whitby: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Operation
Saya, which is a dedicated police operation to this issue, has involved patrols
and specialist support units, including the mounted section, the regional
operations group, the air wing, the road policing group and City of Stirling
rangers all concentrating their efforts. I think it is one of the most policed
parts of Perth at the moment, which is a good thing and a response that we have
invested in. WA Police have also increased their engagement with tenants,
residents and business owners and they have prioritised tasks and
investigations when there are issues at the complex. In the last week alone,
six individuals have been charged with 14 offences. Four individuals out of the
six are actually tenants at the address while the others have been visitors.
The Minister for Housing and Works mentioned that barring notices have been
issued against people who have a connection to someone at that residence to
stop them coming to the residence. Some of the issues have been caused by other
people coming to the address. We will continue to operate to keep the Inglewood
community safe. As I said, and as the Minister for Housing and Works reiterated
earlier, these are complex social issues with people with lots of dysfunction.
We are committed to keeping the community safe. Resources are being rolled out
to address the issue and they will continue to be rolled out.
question. There is no doubt that the police are working very conscientiously
and carefully with the local council and tenants in the area. Indeed, as the
Minister for Police, I am working with the Minister for Housing and Works on
this issue.
This is a tough issue. It is not
a pleasant issue. We understand the pressures and issues that tenants face. The
Minister for Housing and Works has explained how the state has a role and an
obligation in housing many people, and some of those people bring with them
dysfunctional lives, which can cause issues for neighbours. That is a known
issue, and it is something that we are very aware of. The government is taking
action. As the police minister, I can talk about the dramatically increased
police presence in the area, so much so—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Mr Reece Whitby: I would like to answer the question,
Mr Speaker. The police have put significant resources into this. Recently the
housing minister and I met with senior officers to review that response and
look at how we can improve things in the future, including licence restrictions
on a common area at the site and the installation of new surveillance cameras.
In terms of issues with housing, most people understand that there is a process
to go through. Whether you are a private landlord or a government housing agency,
the law requires that when evidence is produced in court, a magistrate will
decide whether or not to evict the tenants. We have more police on the beat
than ever before. Operation Saya has involved intensive action at this
particular address.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Mr Reece Whitby: Mr Speaker, I am happy to get to the
detail; I am going through that at the moment. But I am not helped by someone
who came to this Parliament saying that he would bring a new standard to it but
has ignored his own advice at every turn.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition! The question
has been asked. The minister is responding, and he can respond in any manner he
sees fit. If you are not happy with it, then you can ask another question, or
you have alternative methods of getting specific detail by putting questions on
notice. But as it stands now, this is a question without notice and the
minister is responding. Carry on, minister.
Mr Reece Whitby: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Operation
Saya, which is a dedicated police operation to this issue, has involved patrols
and specialist support units, including the mounted section, the regional
operations group, the air wing, the road policing group and City of Stirling
rangers all concentrating their efforts. I think it is one of the most policed
parts of Perth at the moment, which is a good thing and a response that we have
invested in. WA Police have also increased their engagement with tenants,
residents and business owners and they have prioritised tasks and
investigations when there are issues at the complex. In the last week alone,
six individuals have been charged with 14 offences. Four individuals out of the
six are actually tenants at the address while the others have been visitors.
The Minister for Housing and Works mentioned that barring notices have been
issued against people who have a connection to someone at that residence to
stop them coming to the residence. Some of the issues have been caused by other
people coming to the address. We will continue to operate to keep the Inglewood
community safe. As I said, and as the Minister for Housing and Works reiterated
earlier, these are complex social issues with people with lots of dysfunction.
We are committed to keeping the community safe. Resources are being rolled out
to address the issue and they will continue to be rolled out.
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