Police rethink gay safety
NSW Police will boost licensing officers in Surry Hills and hold a policy forum with the gay and lesbian community after the Police Minister David Campbell witnessed Oxford Street’s late-night trouble spots.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Campbell and federal Wentworth candidate George Newhouse walked the Oxford St gauntlet just after midnight on Friday with SSO columnist and safety ambassador Maxi Shield.
"Queues are a big issue, partygoers become agitated and more likely to engage in violence while waiting around," Campbell told reporters after the walk.
Shield, whose activism led to the visit, was concerned that Campbell didn’t get to witness the more threatening behaviour that occurs after 2am and on Saturday nights.
“Isn’t it funny, we do this walk and all of a sudden every constable is out on the street,” Shield said.
“Friday night was so quiet, then on Saturday night it was just as bad as normal. I want to know when patrols will be increased.”
A bottle was kicked at Shield at the end of the walk near Taylor Square.
Sydney City Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard said Moore’s push for smaller venues would not halt the homophobic violence associated with the existing large clubs.
He proposed council fund a late-night safety centre in a shop front on the south side of Oxford St to host police officers, officers from the Anti-Violence Project and council staff for a one-year trial.
“This is a wealthy council. The community is tired of all the hand-wringing and finger-pointing by politicians and is now demanding action,” Mallard said.
Incidents of homophobic violence along Oxford St have been widely reported in recent months, with one August weekend clocking up three attacks alone.
The situation was exacerbated last weekend, when a man was assaulted and robbed at the Oxford Hotel. The matter is under investigation.
GenQ Street Angel founder Andrew Stopps said some of the CCTV cameras on Oxford St, installed as part of the City of Sydney’s safety strategy, were inoperative.
A date for the police gay and lesbian policy forum is yet to be set.
