Former police officer calls for more police

Former Mandurah police officer and real estate business director/owner James Yates has described meth zombies and drug deals while walking around Mandurah:

I’m not interested in bashing Mandurah or harping on about all the negatives.

I want it to be a better place for all people but before that happens, we need to be honest about the reality of the problems.

That means we have to acknowledge the negatives, not by minimising nor exaggerating them.

I’ve watched the video, “The Economic Massacre of Mandurah”.  I’m not here to say one person is right and the other is wrong. Some people see it as really bad, others don’t. In-between there is a balance.

What I will say is that I’ve witnessed the conditions the video speaks about.

Just recently I was walking into the CBD in the middle of the day. I witnessed a drug buy from a vehicle parked on a busy road. The meth zombies surrounding the vehicle was a give away. I certainly didn’t feel safe walking past them. They are unpredictable, often hostile and unfortunately suffer with mental health issues.

Drug dealing, once done in secret is now done in the open.

Recently I was walking on the eastern foreshore, when I was accosted by a meth zombie who threatened me with violence if I didn’t give him my cigarettes and sunglasses. The cigarettes were a problem because I don’t smoke and I was prepared to fight to keep myself from being robbed.

Thankfully it didn’t come to that. I kept my sunglasses. But the experience unnerved me that these severely mental disturbed druggies seem to be running unchecked around town threatening citizens going about their business.

Maybe one of the newly installed CCTV cameras would have recorded the crime but that wouldn’t have helped or prevented me being physically assaulted and robbed.  What about being more proactive measures like an increase of police presence on the beat?

Every time I telephone police for a crime being committed, like public fighting or theft from cars, if they attend at all, it’s hours later.

I reported a possible rape in progress and 45 minutes later the police showed up.

There doesn’t seem to be enough police in Mandurah. I think the long term solution is going to involve more police in Mandurah on the beat.

I went to the shop the other day and was confronted by another homeless person demanding I buy them cigarettes. I was verbally abused for refusing.

I’ve lost count of the times that as I’m about to walk into Woolies,  I’m nearly bowled over by a person or persons running out with stolen food.

Another time I apparently looked at this person the wrong way and he followed me up Smart Street mall shouting obscenities at me. He too, threatened to bash me.

I don’t know what to expect nowadays when I walk into the CBD. I feel I have to be on guard, it’s not safe.

I went for a walk today and counted three people street camping on business premises in the CBD. When I had an office in the CBD there were problems with the vacant building next door and across the street. They became homeless encampments.

The rear of my business premises was being used as an open sewer, trash and rubbish piled up and the intimidation of staff and customers was experienced. There were displays of public drunkenness/drug usage, verbal and physical fights. There were a couple of times I deliberately interrupted the drug exchanges taking place at the rear of my business premises.

The video never mentioned any of this but unfortunately it’s happening.

For the CBD to move forward, these issues will have to be acknowledged and dealt with before it passes the point of no return.

People need not worry about Mandurah gaining a sullied reputation. It’s already known as Methmandurah. I hope Mandurah gains the reputation of cleaning it all up.

I like Mandurah. I’m now going to take another walk along the foreshore. It’s great having so many food establishments to choose from. The Mandurah Marina is world- class.

There are so many good things about Mandurah but Mandurah has some work to do to keep the foxes from ruining the vineyard.