The New South Wales Police Minister, Yasmin Catley, responded to claims made by Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone regarding insufficient police resources in Western Sydney. Catley asserted that Fairfield has received a greater allocation of police recruits than any other locality in the western part of Sydney.
These remarks came after the Fairfield Council decided to close a public plaza in response to concerns over antisocial behavior in the vicinity. Mayor Carbone expressed his belief that the number of police officers in the region was inadequate, stating that the council’s decision to shut down the plaza was made in collaboration with local law enforcement.
Carbone cited incidents of alcohol-related issues and assaults in the area, questioning the deployment of police under NSW Premier Chris Minns. “I don’t know where the police are, but they’re not here in Western Sydney,” he remarked on Friday.
In an interview with 702 ABC Sydney Breakfast, Catley refuted the mayor’s assertions, indicating that 64 newly recruited officers had been assigned to Fairfield, the highest in the region. “The claim that police are not being deployed to Western Sydney is completely unfounded,” she stated. She criticized the mayor for creating alarm in the community, suggesting that such rhetoric does not contribute positively to public safety.
Catley also contested Carbone’s statement regarding police involvement in the decision to restrict access to the plaza, asserting that incidents of theft and assault in the area are comparable to those in other neighborhoods overseen by the police command. “The police had no prior knowledge of the decision to fence off the plaza,” she explained.
The Crescent Plaza in Fairfield was inaugurated in 2016, built at a cost of $1.8 million, according to the local council.
Residents of Fairfield shared their experiences with antisocial behavior in the plaza. Emily Ho, who manages a nearby convenience store, reported that individuals often gathered in the plaza to drink, leading to incidents of public urination and theft from her store. “Since the plaza opened, people have been drinking from early until late. When they’re intoxicated, they tend to steal from us, and we can’t confront them due to safety concerns,” Ho stated. She noted a positive change since the plaza was fenced off.
Maria Castro, a long-time resident, echoed concerns about antisocial behavior in other areas of Fairfield, describing the plaza as unsafe for her grandchildren due to the presence of unruly teenagers. However, both she and Ho did not perceive a significant issue with policing in the area.
Ron Mack, another local, remarked that he had not witnessed much antisocial behavior, aside from occasional loud music from groups in the plaza.
