Blog comments

• Interesting reading all the blog comments. I have been living in Altona now for over a year and what I have noticed is the amount of what seems highschool children "hanging around" the beach drinking and smoking. Some clearly do not look old enough to drive a car let alone drink alcohol. I have heard the constant foul language that comnes from their mouths and am disgusted. What really bothers me is the amount of runnishthey leave behind on OUR Altona beach. THEY HAVE NO respect for other people and for keeping the beach clean. It is becomming a terrible place to bring children for a walk/swim because of the language, drinking and rubbish. There needs to be more police at Altona beach. We are considering moving out of the area because of this.

  Lucy Thursday 12 November, 2009 - 5:04 PM

• I am a friend of this man.
  This was not a turf war this was 3 men walkin there 2 new puppies... When they were asked to hand over there pups and refused they were attacked. One being stabbed 7 time. The other two were hit, kicked and had men stomping on there heads. This was 3 innocent ment attacked not 2 sides "tuff war" I also expeienced a different attack on Monday whilst i was there with mu son and his grandmother. For his 5th birthday a fight broke out and i was forced to call the police as everyone else stood around watching!!!!
  I remember when my generation enjoyed the beach... I'm only 23 but these kids have no RESPECT or THOUGHT for anyone!!!!

  Tenhae Thursday 12 November, 2009 - 3:04 PM

• I've seen many a fight break out in altona. i used to work at coles, which is one block away from the beach. people would come, absolutely drunk, smash things in the store, yell at each other, start a brawl and then carry on into the street. i am an altona resident, 21 years old, and i wont even drive down pier st in summer because of all the idiots down there.

  last year my car got pelted with rocks for no reason what so ever. i wouldnt be able to get out of the car, the group was of about 6 maori blokes, who were ten times the size of me

  John Wednesday 11 November, 2009 - 10:50 PM

• You can't blame people. Blame the media especially 3AW for this latest piece of misinformation. What do they say? Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story? I thought journalists were supposed to check the facts before supposedly reporting them...

  Nathan Wednesday 11 November, 2009 - 9:00 PM

• Immediate, massive action must be taken to nip this situation in the bud before it becomes entrenched.

  I'm appalled and concerned. I've moved back home to look after my mother who is ill, and it's completely different to the last 20-30yrs. I knew the area well then. It was calm and safe to walk on the beach at anytime. Now it's a totally different situation.
  Last week, the police where called because a group of 30 + Somali youth (appeared to be two gangs) were fighting and throwing empty bottles on the beach with families with young children sitting just a few metres away!
  I walked my dog on the beach past the stabbing scene, and further along were lots of cans and empty beer bottles, just left lying on the beach from the night before.
  Tonight there are so many different youth down near the pier and the energy and vibes of the place is not safe.

  There were always 'groups' back in our day and there were some minor gangs which were very very sedate and harmless compared to these gangs hanging around today.
  The West has become home to some many more diverse cultures, some with vastly different values, so unfortunately our Government has imported the problems and is responsible for eradicating them.

  I agree with the person who suggested that the Government need to increase the police force around the beach and pier in summer and install security cameras.

  They need to patrol the beach regularly and put a stop to all the gangs and large groups turning up. They need to be able to avert the problem before it arises.

  Just turning up once someone has been beaten or seriously injured is not good enough!
  Would you not agree?

  Beach Resident Wednesday 11 November, 2009 - 6:36 PM

• To my understanding it's groups of youths b/w the ages of 15-21 who attend the local state schools in Altona and Laverton. I don't think they are ethnic gangs b/c although a lot of them are Maories, their groups comprise of 'Aussies' too. Usually they are just friendship groups they establish at school. They use physical intimidation to achieve their typical adolescent aspirations of being the coolest or toughest kids on the block. 'Street cred' is the only thing that matters to underprivileged kids who lack guidance and good role models. Heavy policing at beaches will only divert this problem to other locations like train stations and suburban streets. Instead we need to address these problems at schools, in providing greater counseling and motivational programs to inspire these youths to do more with their lives. Surely if youths were inspired to become the next generation of doctors, the idiocy and immaturity of wanting to join gangs will become blatantly obvious. It's important to leave your personal fears and prejudices aside when reading a news story like this and try to look at it objectively. \

  Reynold Wednesday 11 November, 2009 - 6:17 PM