A single mother from a suburb south of Brisbane has sustained a black eye following an altercation with a group of teenagers alleged to be harassing residents in her neighbourhood. Tamara claims that her street is plagued by a chaotic group of up to 40 youths frequently congregating near a government-owned property.
In her first two weeks of moving in, Tamara reported calling the police 35 times. The ongoing disturbances include vandalism, such as broken fences and smashed windows, throwing rocks and various objects at her property and vehicle. Fed up with the situation, Tamara said, “When I found myself face to face with a girl on my property, I went into self-defence mode.”
Despite acknowledging that she may have thrown the first punch, she expressed that her life felt threatened. Recordings of the incident show the group of children confronting her, exacerbating her fears for her safety and that of her children.
Tamara has filed numerous police reports and formal complaints about the juvenile delinquents, yet she feels neglected as authorities tell her that since the teens do not reside in the area, they cannot take action. The frequent taunting she endures has left her anxious about her family’s safety, although she tries not to let her children see her fear.
Another local resident, Anoushka, who has lived in the area for over two decades, shares similar frustrations. She describes feeling like a “prisoner” in her own home due to the pervasive disturbances caused by the teenagers. Anoushka has invested over $30,000 enhancing the security of her property, including installing high fences and bars on her windows for protection.
She was angered when police suggested that selling her home could be a way to resolve the anxiety over the situation. Anoushka insists that the responsibility lies with public housing authorities to relocate those creating havoc in the neighbourhood.
As a result of these ongoing troubles, police have launched an investigation into the recent assault involving Tamara, which occurred earlier this month when a teenage girl allegedly attacked her in front of her home. Authorities are seeking assistance from the public for any relevant information related to the investigation.
The experiences of both Tamara and Anoushka reflect a growing concern among residents about safety and the inadequacy of responses to effectively address the issues in their community.