Druggies rule in estate of fear

Drug dealers have taken over a Darwin housing estate,
it was claimed last night.

Some residents have been forced to erect homemade
fortifications to protect themselves.

The Hudson Fysh flats in Shiers St, The Narrows, have
become a virtual no-go zone for police and government
workers, residents told the Northern Territory News.

``The drug dealers run this place now,'' said Jose
Evaristo Madeira Soares, who has lived at the flats
for the past year.

``We find syringes and blood. There are rats and
uncollected garbage.

``It's like everyone has just given up on this place.

``There are people who have put up iron bars to try to
stop the drug dealers breaking into their homes.

``It's like living in a jail.''

Mr Madeira Soares, 37, said residents wanted to fight
back but they needed help.

``We need a campaign to clear out the drug dealers,''
he said.

``They break into your car, they try to attack people
and they do things that are not good for the rest of
us. It's unacceptable.

``I think all those who are victims want the drug
dealers out _ they want to live in peace, they want to
be respected as neighbours.

``But all those who are drug dealers want to rule
here.

``They want to continue their lifestyle _ to continue
to steal, to cheat, to deal and be free of the
police.''

Mr Madeira Soares called for police and security
patrols to be stepped up around the flats.

He said Territory Housing should evict those caught
dealing drugs.

``The police sometimes come here when we ask them but
we can't always keep ringing them,'' he said.

``We have security here but it's slipping or they're
not coming enough.

``The police should arrest the people and put them in
jail if they are criminals.

``If they are mentally sick get them care; if they are
addicts rehabilitate them.

``We can't live like this. We live here because I
can't afford to live elsewhere but that doesn't mean
that we should be left with this.''

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 29th September 2004
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Edith Bevin