Residents in Bentley, bordering with Wilson, are concerned that the area is becoming increasingly out of control.
The Examiner has seen photographs and video footage of gangs roaming the streets, frightening local residents into staying indoors.
“This is what is happening in our streets most days for our community,” a Bentley resident said who for safety reasons chooses to remain anonymous.
“Not the council, the police, our members of Parliament and in particular the current Department of Communities Minister Cary, whose department is responsible for these tenancies that house and facilitate a majority of these criminals, are listening to us or acknowledging the issues we experience every single day.
“We are desperate. These are not ‘kids just being kids,’ which is constantly what we are being told is real. What is it going to take for the powers to take note, acknowledge, or do something to address these issues?”
Invitations were extended to the Victoria Park and Cannington state election candidates, and the Swan federal election candidates for Liberal, Labor, and the Greens specifically to discuss crime and safety with residents in their community.
These were held on January 18, attended by Liberal’s Andra Biondi, Bruce Henderson and Mic Fels, on February 8 attended by Labor’s Hanna Beasley, and on February 9 attended by the Greens’ Jack Gordon-Manley, Eric Hayward and Clint Uink.
“The attached video of a gang roaming the street was occurring streets away from where we met with all these candidates. This is not Alice Springs. This is nine kilometres from the CBD, and the crime in Bentley, St James, and Wilson is beyond control,” the resident said.
“The reason only some of us can come out publicly to speak about this is because of fear of retribution by these youth gangs and thugs, the drug dealers, users, and criminals who have taken over this community, and we as a community have had enough. It is only a matter of time before more blood is spilt on our streets.”
She said all the candidates were receptive to their concerns, but it felt like the issues were falling on deaf ears. “The politicians can definitely do more, and should,” she said.
“I’ve been a resident of Bentley for 32 years and never seen it this bad. The turf wars are getting serious, with graffiti tags appearing more and more.”
In a sign that Bentley has become a focal point for local police, mounted police officers were out and about in Bentley on February 13.
A Facebook post showing the mounted police leaving Cannington Police Station to go to Bentley stated that they were patrolling the streets “to keep the community safe and secure.”
In a statement from the City of Canning, Mayor Patrick Hall said the City’s Ranger and Community Safety Service was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that the team proactively patrolled all Canning suburbs, including Bentley, and regularly responded to resident requests and concerns.
“The City’s Ranger and Community Safety Service works closely with Cannington Police to coordinate responses to emerging safety issues,” Mayor Hall said.
“The Ranger and Community Safety Service aims to provide peace of mind to residents, to discourage anti-social behaviour and provide assistance with relevant legislation and local law matters.”
To confirm the City Canning’s ongoing commitment to strengthen communities and partnerships, the City’s 2025 Safe Canning Action Plan will be ready for public viewing later this month.
The goal is to improve overall safety, target crime and antisocial behaviour, and address the issues that underpin crime and safety in the Canning community.
For more information about the City’s community safety initiatives, visit https://cdn.canning.wa.gov.au/media/qkthiihh/community–safety–report–card–2024.pdf
