Crime forum addresses community concerns Port Stephens Port Stephens News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - December 7, 2022 Sergeant Paul Doherty, forum organiser Mrs Ada Corney and Inspector Kristin Marshall, Officer In Charge at Nelson Bay Police Station. Photo: Jewell Drury MORE than 120 Tilligerry residents met at Lemon Tree Bowling Club to discuss their concerns regarding crime in the community. The residents concerns included burnouts, stealing cars and setting them on fire, speeding, robbery, youth riding motorbikes without helmets, theft, bullying, drugs, graffiti and vandalism, dog attacks and stray dogs, safety and well being, and business concerns. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au 93 percent of the polled residents said they had experienced at least one of the above. Inspector Kristin Marshall, Officer in charge Nelson Bay Police Station, shared that reported crime in 2022 was marginally less than had been reported in previous years. During the last six months there have been eleven break and enters and seven stolen cars compared to 2019 where there had been fourteen break and enters and ten cars stolen. In 2018 the statistics were higher with 29 break and enters and 17 cars stolen. Local crime statistics for 2020 and 2021, during Covid, were even lower. “We are all here because of our concerns about the crime in our community but please remember the police are a small link in a long chain of the community, we may not have all the answers but we are here to help you as much as we possibly can,” Inspector Marshall reassured the community. Pastor Anthony of Tanilba Bay Baptist Church spoke of there being a safe place with boundaries for young people through the church’s youth group which meets every Friday night at 7.30pm. Jupiters youth counselling service counsellor Avril Saunders spoke positively about youth in the area who are receiving free counselling through the organisation. “Jupiter is community funded, giving the youth a ‘space to talk’,” Ms Saunders told News Of The Area. One Nation candidate Mark Watson shared a ten point plan that One Nation would introduce if he was elected at the next state election to represent Port Stephens. “For too long the scales of justice have been lopsided as they protect and support the rights of the offender and forget the innocent victims,” Mr Watson told the Tilligerry community. By Jewell DRURY Jupiter counsellor Avril Saunders, Pastor Anthony from Tanilba Bay Baptist Church, organisers Ada and Stephen Corney, and One Nation candidate Mark Watson. Photo: Jewell Drury.
