Inglewood residents plead with State Government to meet over violence concerns at Ninth Avenue complex

Inglewood residents have pleaded to meet with Housing Minister John Carey following a fiery question time over reports of crime from a social housing complex on Ninth Avenue. During question time the Government revealed police had launched “Operation Sayer” to address crime in the area and 14 charges against six individuals — four of whom were residents — had been made at the complex in the past week. Speaking at an emotional press conference after question time, resident Melissa Molinari said locals were living in fear. “We are really disappointed that the Housing Minister was unable to answer any questions that were forwarded to him today,” she said. “The fact that we are still here five months later, asking for something to be done because of the safety of people in our community, it’s just outrageous, it is incredibly upsetting.” Shadow housing minister David Bolt asked Mr Carey whether he would meet with the residents who were in the chambers today. Mr Carey said he would be “happy to meet residents” but claimed Mr Bolt was “after a political stunt or a gotcha moment”. Members of the public gallery interjected in response, saying State Government action had come “five months too late” and another called on Mr Carey to “do your job” before they warned by the Speaker they would be removed if they continued. Mr Carey said the residents’ concerns were being taken seriously. “We are serious, we are delivering social housing to meet the needs of vulnerable people, but as I said we take where there are issues of concern, where there are issues of anti-social behaviour, we do take it seriously, and we work with other relevant agencies,” he said. Police Minister Reece Whitby said the area was now “one of the most policed part of Perth” with the launch of Operation Sayer which included patrols, special support units, air wing, road police and City of Stirling rangers. Ms Molinari said she was not against social housing but the government were not getting to the root issue of the problem. “There are so many people on a housing wait list for this state that would be so grateful to live in our beautiful community, yet this government has housed criminals and people that are completely disrespectful and undeserving to be there,” she said.