Owner fears post-Covid return to CBD incidents

“The only thing that I have seen work, which has a direct and immediate impact and stops the problem, is to have police doing foot patrols.”

A business owner in Nambour CBD is worried crime will ramp up following a lull during Covid. The woman said she had seen so many incidents around her shop that she held fears for her and her staff’s safety. 

The woman, who didn’t want to be named, has witnessed shocking violence, drug dealing, alcohol abuse and prostitution and was relieved the situation had significantly improved during Covid restrictions.

“This all happened pre-Covid and since Covid there has not really been the same situation or problems,” she said. 

“But in the last few weeks there have been some regulars who have dribbled back to the square. However I’ve only rung the police once, whereas prior to Covid I was phoning almost daily, Monday to Friday.

“I think we need to take action now to ensure that it stays this way.”

 She said the safety problem was “so unfair to the amazing people living in Nambour and just serves to perpetuate a negative image”. 

“The only thing that I have seen work, which has a direct and immediate impact and stops the problem, is to have police doing foot patrols. The problem people literally run away. Whereas they’re not worried if they see the police drive past,” she said.  “People must feel safe, first and foremost, before they will let their children use the square or to come in to that area of town.”

She said, like many others in town, she had tried to change things but her efforts ended up falling on deaf ears and resulted in blowback from locals for criticising the town.

‘I have only rung the police once, whereas prior to Covid I was phoning almost daily, Monday to Friday’

She said, in addition to police foot patrols, all local community groups should be encouraged to “take back the town”, in a positive way, by holding regular events in the square. Schools should be encouraged to use the stage for concerts, she said. Buskers and musicians should also be invited to lift the mood. And a security camera linked to the police station would help.

“School and community group involvement will bring parents to the square, make other people feel safe and give a sense of pride to the centre of Nambour.”