Ballina After Hours
Is it safe in Ballina after hours? There are more and more reports of people being harassed, mugged, and beaten in the streets after dark in Ballina Shire.
Not long ago these sorts of events were rare and were only heard about on national news, occurring in the cities. We have become conditioned through the media to accept this sort of violence as normal and just another sign of the times.
Some people are saying we should accept this as a consequence of the growth of our Shire. So, is this just restricted to being considered a youth problem, or are adults partaking in the violent behaviour? Could the violence on our streets be a consequence of our youth being ‘out of control’ or are do you think there are just not enough Police to patrol and deter this antisocial behaviour?
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
July 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 am
What happened to the “good old day’s”, when Sargent Plod could put his size 10 foot up your butt, make an example of you and take you home to suffer the consequences. We have lost our old fashion values and the family unit. I am a Nurse and have worked the the Ballina Hospital for a number of years. I get to see the crap close up and personal. It’s amazing on a Friday or Saturday night to see very young kids out on the roads. Where is Dad and Mum? Out partying?? This behaviour, I believe, starts at grass roots level and esculates over the years. Sure, my Mum and Dad enjoyed a few drinks on the weekend, but we kids were never abandoned. Many terific BBQ’s and parties, with everyone being accounted for. There is such a deep lack of respect in our society now. Authority has been taken away from those persons who helped guide our life and instill important values. I am the Mum of a 9 year old girl. I am raising her with the same values that were instilled in me by my parents, grandparents etc. It works, she is blossoming into a terrific young lady. Unfortunately, it is not only the Ballina shire, but right across the board, from the country towns to the cities.
August 3rd, 2011 at 9:56 am
I agree with everything Vicki says. Where are these parents, and why are they allowing their young kids out alone unsupervised? Perhaps the answer is, that we do need a higher police presence patrolling the streets of Ballina at night, to go with the growth of our Shire, (and) or perhaps a curfew for the younger ones, if there was some way of enforcing it. When you take away accountability for your actions, discipline, and rules of conduct, at a family level, respect goes out the window as well, and kids very soon grow into adults, with a no fear, no consequence mentality.