Violent gangs must be removed

I have a small voice but a great roar.
As a senior resident who catches the train I feel appalled and scared for our residents, school children and workers to read the contents of Pain in the Park by Aneeka Simonis, Gazette 27 January.
As a long serving councillor and former mayor I am frustrated and furious that my town Pakenham is being overrun by gangs of “anti-social youths” of varying nationalities.
There are drug dealings, alcohol abuse and bashings at midday.
Enough is enough!
As a councillor I can tell you how hard we all worked to achieve a good outcome and transformation of Bourke Park opposite Pakenham rail station.
If it takes more state funding to install CCTV installation, then pollies should provide it, protect our citizens and the people who vote for you.
It is nice for all to visit on Australia Day but we don’t need appearances, we need action!
Council can’t be expected to provide rates at CPI and then find money to outlay huge amounts for this necessary installation.
Council requires State Government assistance to deliver and deliver quickly.
The police can’t be criticised, they are doing their best.
Our by-laws officers are few on the ground and overworked with 1200 square kilometres and 30 townships to cover.
I do not want some innocent child, youth, senior citizen killed or permanently disabled.
As a councillor elected by Central Ward ratepayers I demand action now.
These violent young offenders and others need to be got rid of permanently.
If this needs to be aired on TV or one of the dailies, so be it. I am tired of so called “political correctness”.
Meetings by police and politicians and local government discussing the problem is just air in the wind.
Immediate action is required.
School commences this week and our children need to feel safe and their parents need to know they are.
For goodness sake, we are talking about the rail entrance to our town, to Pakenham, to our jobs, our businesses.
I will not let Pakenham be placed on the back burner because it is the “old town” and the government, state, federal and local, are focussed on infrastructure delivery for the new kid on the block ‘Officer’.
I love Pakenham, I chose to live here, my business is in the town.
I care about the people and the community we belong to.
I wanted to make a difference back in 2003 and I hang my head in shame if, being in my elected position in 2016, I don’t attempt to do something to protect the people old and new who I care about.
Politically they can love or hate me for speaking out but I want action and I want it long before any election promises and the darkness of winter in that area.
Kate Lempriere,
Central Ward councillor.