Armadale detectives and the drug squad raided a Gosnells home last week believed to be linked to an incident at a skate park earlier this month.
Gosnells resident Paula, who did not want her surname published, alleged her two teenage sons and their friends were threatened and robbed by a man wielding a machete at the Jean Garvey skate park, as reported in The Examiner on January 19.
It is not known if the man has been charged or if drugs were found on the property but Paula said the police had been fantastic in dealing with the situation.
You can’t fault them,” she said.
“They’ve been great in handling the situation.
“My boys have also handled this well and I’m just glad he didn’t (the alleged offender) follow through with his threat.”
Paula said her sons were threatened after the man asked them for drugs which they did not have.
“The drug issue is a problem we are all dealing with,” she said.
“A lot of people are shocked and angry that this has happened to kids.
“They should be in a safe place.”
Paula said although the park had CCTV it only covered one side.
City of Gosnells chief executive officer Ian Cowie said the city was currently finalising a submission to the Federal Government’s Safer Streets Program for a $150,000 grant to improve and upgrade CCTV systems at a few locations within the city including the skate park.
“The city strongly believes it is important to create safe places for young people to meet and socialise,” he said.
“As such the city will continue to work closely with local police and the community to quickly address security issues and implement crime prevention strategies.”
Labor candidate for Southern River Terry Healy, who Paula reached out to for assistance, said prosecution alone would not solve the meth crisis.
“We must ensure that equal emphasis is given to reducing the demand and supply of methamphetamines,” he said.
“We need a comprehensive, across government strategy that focuses on reducing supply and also on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.”
Armadale police senior sergeant Glenn Spencer said the drugs issue was a complex matter.
“Arresting people isn’t the solution itself,” he said.
“It also involves education and rehabilitation.”
