Like many long standing residents of Ballarat I have witnessed acts of violence and/or anti-social behaviour outside Coles supermarket and the adjoining bus stop.
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I once had to flee to the police, after seeing a teenage schoolgirl headbutted with such force that blood gushed down the front of her face and school uniform. Nobody did anything as people were too afraid.
I was stationary in my car at the pedestrian crossing. I went straight to the police station literally two minutes away - they said they'd send a car.
This happened in broad daylight.
Since then I've seen a rise in anti-social behaviour.
I'd like to support the traders in this area - Bridge Street Mall, but I now shop elsewhere.
Local traders/entertainment/dining/ and other services are crucial to the well-being of our city and need more support.
I don't have all the answers, but something needs to be done. We have all seen people sleeping rough in town too - I have given money to those in sleeping bags on cold nights - it's not a moral issue - we need to support our vulnerable but enforce tough laws for those who are violent and/or threaten people.
Most often the victims of anti-social crimes are vulnerable. We can and should do better.
Jacqueline Wilson, Ballarat.
HAVE YOUR SAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
I have seen elderly people too scared to go to the bus stop because of the way these kids act. I have seen drug deals done in front of younger kids
There may be CCTV there but police need to make themselves seen a lot more in this area.
It's time the council did something about the youth in Ballarat offering them something to do like an arcade centre with pinball pool tables etc. but the youth in this town need to show respect to our beautiful town, to the people and themselves.
Crime might go down if something was done and maybe if these kids do the crime the judges need to give a harsher punishment.
Debbie Richardson, Alfredton.
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