24 September 2011

Mugging in Glebe Park

| johnboy
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ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to an aggravated robbery and assault in Glebe Park last night (Friday, September 23).

Around 7pm a 45 year-old-male was walking through Glebe Park on his way home from work when he was approached by four teenage males (one thought to be Aboriginal in appearance and three possibly Caucasian) who demanded his wallet.

When the victim refused to give the males his wallet and attempted to walk around the group he was attacked from behind. He was punched, kicked and kneed. The offenders stole his key wallet and a back pack containing a SLR camera with a zoom lens.

A witness approached the victim to offer assistance and was also threatened by the four males before they left the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the Glebe Park area at that time of the incident and may have seen the offenders or witnessed this robbery and assault to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers website on www.act.crimestoppers.com.au

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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See Angelina, you catch my point exactly, we mind our own business whilst reducing the violent crime rate, no harm to anyone except maybe ourselves. Yet the police cracked down and removed the majority through fear of continued harassment, regardless of whether we stopped smoking bongs/drinking under age there or not, thus the violent crimes increase, unsolved by the police.

The prevention removed, whilst the cure remains ineffective.

PBO said :

LOL, are you high? When was the last time you saw a bunch of thugs fighting in civic because they were really stoned? Or someone get glassed with a bong?(I’m not saying that hasnt happened). Or some girl waking up pregnant because she partook in the devils lettuce? I would say most cops would prefer if it were only stoners to deal with.

ROTFL. Devil’s Lettuce – I love it!!!!

How are the police supposed to determine which person is responsible enough to keep breaking the law and which isn’t? Or do you think people should just do whatever they like without any kind of policing?

Errrr…..did you not read my post thoroughly? “What a shame it wasn’t tapped in to by Police to see how it could continue without breaking too many of the “rules”. I was talking about collaboration, not people doing whatever they like.

matt31221 said :

Weed is alot worse than alcohol and tobacco. Why do you think it is illegal in most modern countires? Ask any ACT policing officer what they think of weed and what they have seen it do to people and your views will be changed.

LOL, are you high? When was the last time you saw a bunch of thugs fighting in civic because they were really stoned? Or someone get glassed with a bong?(I’m not saying that hasnt happened). Or some girl waking up pregnant because she partook in the devils lettuce? I would say most cops would prefer if it were only stoners to deal with.

matt31221 said :

Weed is alot worse than alcohol and tobacco. Why do you think it is illegal in most modern countires? Ask any ACT policing officer what they think of weed and what they have seen it do to people and your views will be changed.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc much?

Thankyou Violet68

Can I point out to the people that are arguing about how much harm pot smoking causes, in this situation I’m sure the poor guy that got mugged would have preferred help/prevention to come in the form of pot smokers than no help at all, regardless of the damage they may have been doing to themselves with the pot.

matt31221 said :

Deref said :

The Dark said :

…I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies…

None needed. What a delight to read a well-written post from a yoof.

Well done, that lad! Long may you and your mates enjoy hanging out in Glebe Park. 😀

+1!!

Except @ ‘the Dark’, don’t fall for believing that weed is a harmless drug. It is some bad stuff that can slowly make you dangerously psychotic and lead you to harder drugs.

I knew it, I knew when I read your post that the main topic was lost forever….

Spykler said :

Henry82 said :

Not sure why anyone would walk through there at night. there have been more than enough assaults, perverts, muggings and vandals to know its not a safe place at night.

http://the-riotact.com/tag/glebe-park

The nighttime doesn’t constrain some of them either..a few stories of daylight perv spottings..Setting up lunchtime camp in the low bushes behind the Parkroyal for a titillating view of a lunchtime lover’s tryst..

Please tell us more :allears:

Violet68 said :

What an intriguing example of naturally occurring crime prevention. Members of a community (some would say subculture) creating respect for place and others, setting rules and boundaries according to their own values and norms. Seems like it was working too. What a shame it wasn’t tapped in to by Police to see how it could continue without breaking too many of the “rules”.

So you’re saying that the end always justifies the means? But where is the limit? How far can that be taken? If the police ignore people who’re breaking the law by taking what are (rightly or wrongly, that’s not the issue) illegal drugs, then how many other people are allowed the break other rules that they think are pointless? If I live my life by my own social norms even though I might break a bunch of laws is that okay? Even if they interfere with your norms?

I do see what you (and others) are getting at. A bunch of kids who are not hurting the public and were quite likely reducing violent crime in that area have been moved on. Now the risk of violent crime has increased again without them there. It sucks.

But if people start picking and choosing which laws they will follow and which they wont how is that going to make the world a better place in the long run, where does it end? I agree that some kids smoking pot and minding their business is better than people getting mugged. But they were still breaking the law and they got caught/moved on. If everyone starts doing whatever they like it’s going to be a bloody disaster.

I was only smoking pot, it’s not like I was mugging anyone!
I was just mugging someone, it’s not like I raped anyone!
Well, I only raped her, I didn’t kill her or anything!
Jeez Officer, I only killed her. I’s not like I dismembered her body and ate her flesh!

How are the police supposed to determine which person is responsible enough to keep breaking the law and which isn’t? Or do you think people should just do whatever they like without any kind of policing?

Violet68 said :

What an intriguing example of naturally occurring crime prevention. Members of a community (some would say subculture) creating respect for place and others, setting rules and boundaries according to their own values and norms. Seems like it was working too. What a shame it wasn’t tapped in to by Police to see how it could continue without breaking too many of the “rules”.

I’m sure the Police would be more then happy for them to hang out there if there was no underage drinking, or smoking illegal substances. If they weren’t breaking the law, then I couldn’t imagine there would be any call for them to be there besides the occasional hello.

Seems like a win win situation to me.

Stevian said :

matt31221 said :

Weed is alot worse than alcohol and tobacco. Why do you think it is illegal in most modern countires? Ask any ACT policing officer what they think of weed and what they have seen it do to people and your views will be changed.

Puh lease, do people still fall for that?

It’s like religion, people believe, they see there answer’s where they go searching, people disbelieve and have alternate views to the believers answers. There is no point getting upset about it that’s what matt believes, I think along the same way as him, like alcohol it isn’t harmless, like smoking it isn’t cool.

I understand that people have a different view to me, unfortunately for most of the non-believers, the law is not on their side. That isn’t saying much, the church outlawed a lot of silly things that are now socially acceptable.

Being a gateway drug doesn’t mean it is going to ruin people’s lives, what these kid’s hanging out in Glebe Park have to understand, drinking underage and smoking dope isn’t helping them with the Police, with the people who are walking through there and the people who live near there. But at least they are generally hanging out not really annoying anyone.

What an intriguing example of naturally occurring crime prevention. Members of a community (some would say subculture) creating respect for place and others, setting rules and boundaries according to their own values and norms. Seems like it was working too. What a shame it wasn’t tapped in to by Police to see how it could continue without breaking too many of the “rules”.

matt31221 said :

Weed is alot worse than alcohol and tobacco. Why do you think it is illegal in most modern countires? Ask any ACT policing officer what they think of weed and what they have seen it do to people and your views will be changed.

Puh lease, do people still fall for that?

matt31221 said :

Weed is alot worse than alcohol and tobacco. Why do you think it is illegal in most modern countires? Ask any ACT policing officer what they think of weed and what they have seen it do to people and your views will be changed.

What a naive statement. I don’t even want to try and explain how weak the “if it is illegal it must be more harmful than anything that is legal” argument is.

yellowsnow said :

The Dark said :

As some of you may remember from previous posts I know alot of the glebe park ‘unsavory types’ (some could consider me one of them), specifically the large group of black clad youth that congregate there on a regular basis. The reason i bring this up is that incidents like this have been prevented by us countless times over the last few years since we discovered Glebe to be a good place to waste our youths, regardless of the circumstances, whether it be physically intervening in people being assaulted/robbed, bags snatched, creepers lurking around the toilets, etc …

Fight Club?

There seems to be one operating in Telopea Park too

Haha, nah, not us, that’d be the Kanangra flats ‘community day’ events

#11 Yep, that’d be us.

@Watson – exactly my point man, skateboarders might be seen as an inconvenience to some, but look what happened when they were taken away.

@deref – Haha, always good to hear positive feedback

@buzz2600 – As much as I appreciate all the emo cracks, especially how much you point out that we’re just ‘expressing ourselves’, maybe you could just shut up, either way, Ill overlook them and point out that i already mentioned that we are the ones dressed primarily in black with and are fairly distinctive, the dudes running around mugging people are, im assuming, not of that description.

Stevian said :

matt31221 said :

Deref said :

The Dark said :

…I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies…

None needed. What a delight to read a well-written post from a yoof.

Well done, that lad! Long may you and your mates enjoy hanging out in Glebe Park. 😀

+1!!

Except @ ‘the Dark’, don’t fall for believing that weed is a harmless drug. It is some bad stuff that can slowly make you dangerously psychotic and lead you to harder drugs.

Both false statements, a causal link between Cannabis use and pyschosis is tenuous at best and even those researchers who support the link say it brings on a psychotic break 2-3 years earlier than it would normally appear in those with a predisposition. It simply hastens the inevitable. And as for leading to harder drugs, it exists in criminal milleu if it were not illegal itself it would be no more of a gateway drug than alcohol or tobacco. Cannabis does have it’s negative effects, but you’re just scare-mongering

Weed is alot worse than alcohol and tobacco. Why do you think it is illegal in most modern countires? Ask any ACT policing officer what they think of weed and what they have seen it do to people and your views will be changed.

matt31221 said :

Deref said :

The Dark said :

…I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies…

None needed. What a delight to read a well-written post from a yoof.

Well done, that lad! Long may you and your mates enjoy hanging out in Glebe Park. 😀

+1!!

Except @ ‘the Dark’, don’t fall for believing that weed is a harmless drug. It is some bad stuff that can slowly make you dangerously psychotic and lead you to harder drugs.

Like the scotch single malt currently being discussed so lovingly in another thread of the Riot Act. Before you know it you’ll be buying an ‘amusing’ bow-tie and boring on about shares. Watch out. It happens.

Stevian said :

Cannabis does have it’s negative effects, but you’re just scare-mongering

Which makes you lose credibility because young people aren’t all stupid.

My only advice would be, don’t smoke it every day if you’re naturally lazy and socially awkward!

matt31221 said :

Deref said :

The Dark said :

…I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies…

None needed. What a delight to read a well-written post from a yoof.

Well done, that lad! Long may you and your mates enjoy hanging out in Glebe Park. 😀

+1!!

Except @ ‘the Dark’, don’t fall for believing that weed is a harmless drug. It is some bad stuff that can slowly make you dangerously psychotic and lead you to harder drugs.

Both false statements, a causal link between Cannabis use and pyschosis is tenuous at best and even those researchers who support the link say it brings on a psychotic break 2-3 years earlier than it would normally appear in those with a predisposition. It simply hastens the inevitable. And as for leading to harder drugs, it exists in criminal milleu if it were not illegal itself it would be no more of a gateway drug than alcohol or tobacco. Cannabis does have it’s negative effects, but you’re just scare-mongering

Deref said :

The Dark said :

…I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies…

None needed. What a delight to read a well-written post from a yoof.

Well done, that lad! Long may you and your mates enjoy hanging out in Glebe Park. 😀

+1!!

Except @ ‘the Dark’, don’t fall for believing that weed is a harmless drug. It is some bad stuff that can slowly make you dangerously psychotic and lead you to harder drugs.

The Dark said :

…I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies…

None needed. What a delight to read a well-written post from a yoof.

Well done, that lad! Long may you and your mates enjoy hanging out in Glebe Park. 😀

Buzz2600 said :

The Dark said :

As some of you may remember from previous posts I know alot of the glebe park ‘unsavory types’ (some could consider me one of them), specifically the large group of black clad youth that congregate there on a regular basis…

Can I point out to you that the crime was allegedly committed by four teenage youths. I wonder how the police or anyone else in the park are expected to recognise the difference between supposably nice emos just “expressing themselves” and these not-so-nice scum bags? I’m all for emos being allowed to “express themselves” but seriously?

It’s sad that Glebe Park has decended into such a no-go zone for 99% of the canberra population. Its a lovely space and more should be done to make it people friendly. There used to be a food court type place there with music etc. I say increase lighting, open up some cafes and open air markets and music etc so that it becomes more than a place for pervs and pimply youths to smoke dope and possible vigilanties/criminals – depending on their mood.

We can only feel safe if there is a Dusk to Dawn curfew on everybody, supplemented be a Dawn to Dusk curfew, any one breaking curfew will be subject to summary execution.
You know it makes sense

Ben_Dover said :

I await violet68 coming along to tell us how ACT parks are to blame for this mugging by creating Glebe park, and it’s not the muggers fault as they are mentally ill drug addicts and therefore totally absolved of any personal responsibility..

How dare you say that, it couldn’t be ACT Parks fault, it is definitely the young photographer’s fault for feeling that anything that he owns is his and his exclusively, that’s the fault of society, thinking just because they went out, got a job and spent a couple of grand on a camera, he should have given that money to the mentally ill and the druggies, you know, because they can’t be bothered to get a job.

I feel sorry for the young fella! Hope you get your stuff back! I’ll help anyway that I can.

The Dark said :

As some of you may remember from previous posts I know alot of the glebe park ‘unsavory types’ (some could consider me one of them), specifically the large group of black clad youth that congregate there on a regular basis…

Can I point out to you that the crime was allegedly committed by four teenage youths. I wonder how the police or anyone else in the park are expected to recognise the difference between supposably nice emos just “expressing themselves” and these not-so-nice scum bags? I’m all for emos being allowed to “express themselves” but seriously?

It’s sad that Glebe Park has decended into such a no-go zone for 99% of the canberra population. Its a lovely space and more should be done to make it people friendly. There used to be a food court type place there with music etc. I say increase lighting, open up some cafes and open air markets and music etc so that it becomes more than a place for pervs and pimply youths to smoke dope and possible vigilanties/criminals – depending on their mood.

I await violet68 coming along to tell us how ACT parks are to blame for this mugging by creating Glebe park, and it’s not the muggers fault as they are mentally ill drug addicts and therefore totally absolved of any personal responsibility..

Years and years ago they banned the skateboarders from the bus interchange near where I lived. Immediately people started complaining that the place was now completely deserted at night and they felt more unsafe than before. So they overturned the ban.

Personally I would be happy to put up with obnoxious teenagers if it means that I can walk through there at night without fear for my persnal safety. But I can imagine not all Canberrans would trust the teenagers to not mug them… And lots would not be willing to overlook the underage drinking and drug use.

The Dark said :

#8

From all over Canberra, mostly northside, there’s nowhere else for us to go.

I use the term ‘kids’ loosely, Most of us are in our mid to late teens.

I’m guessing your part of the group that sits in the corner near the stage drinking and carrying on then?

#8

From all over Canberra, mostly northside, there’s nowhere else for us to go.

I use the term ‘kids’ loosely, Most of us are in our mid to late teens.

The Dark said :

As some of you may remember from previous posts I know alot of the glebe park ‘unsavory types’ (some could consider me one of them), specifically the large group of black clad youth that congregate there on a regular basis. The reason i bring this up is that incidents like this have been prevented by us countless times over the last few years since we discovered Glebe to be a good place to waste our youths, regardless of the circumstances, whether it be physically intervening in people being assaulted/robbed, bags snatched, creepers lurking around the toilets, etc …

Fight Club?

There seems to be one operating in Telopea Park too

The Dark said :

As some of you may remember from previous posts I know alot of the glebe park ‘unsavory types’ (some could consider me one of them), specifically the large group of black clad youth that congregate there on a regular basis. The reason i bring this up is that incidents like this have been prevented by us countless times over the last few years since we discovered Glebe to be a good place to waste our youths, regardless of the circumstances, whether it be physically intervening in people being assaulted/robbed, bags snatched, creepers lurking around the toilets, etc, or even just being there with a noticeable presence with a view of a large portion of the park that would make any would be muggers think twice, especially around the afternoon and into the evening (often fairly late). The crimes being committed in glebe changed from being assaults/muggings/rapes/bad things, to some underage drinking and then some pot smoking amongst a small minority, which i know is still generally frowned apon, but it hurt no-one and still hurts no-one. Recently the police came out in force targeting us for this behavior and unfortunately drove most of us off, thus almost eliminating this FREE potentially crime preventing fixture in a place that is known to have its share of opportunity based crimes, after all prevention is better than the cure or am i wrong?

I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies, my point being, is that a few months ago, a clearly visible mugging being committed at 7pm on a friday night in glebe park would have been met with the 4 muggers fleeing the scene empty handed after being confronted by a large number of ‘riled up’ youth or simply walking straight past the potential victim after thinking against it due to the number of witnesses, both being a more favorable outcome to this poor bloke getting done over, if it weren’t for the police wasting there time hassling teenagers over trivial things.

I am intrigued. These kids, who are no longer there, from where do they hail? School aged?

As some of you may remember from previous posts I know alot of the glebe park ‘unsavory types’ (some could consider me one of them), specifically the large group of black clad youth that congregate there on a regular basis. The reason i bring this up is that incidents like this have been prevented by us countless times over the last few years since we discovered Glebe to be a good place to waste our youths, regardless of the circumstances, whether it be physically intervening in people being assaulted/robbed, bags snatched, creepers lurking around the toilets, etc, or even just being there with a noticeable presence with a view of a large portion of the park that would make any would be muggers think twice, especially around the afternoon and into the evening (often fairly late). The crimes being committed in glebe changed from being assaults/muggings/rapes/bad things, to some underage drinking and then some pot smoking amongst a small minority, which i know is still generally frowned apon, but it hurt no-one and still hurts no-one. Recently the police came out in force targeting us for this behavior and unfortunately drove most of us off, thus almost eliminating this FREE potentially crime preventing fixture in a place that is known to have its share of opportunity based crimes, after all prevention is better than the cure or am i wrong?

I know this has turned into a rant, my apologies, my point being, is that a few months ago, a clearly visible mugging being committed at 7pm on a friday night in glebe park would have been met with the 4 muggers fleeing the scene empty handed after being confronted by a large number of ‘riled up’ youth or simply walking straight past the potential victim after thinking against it due to the number of witnesses, both being a more favorable outcome to this poor bloke getting done over, if it weren’t for the police wasting there time hassling teenagers over trivial things.

Watson said :

7pm is not exactly late. It’s barely dark by then.

It’s 7pm now, look out your window. You wouldn’t catch me walking down a path known for muggings in this “light”

Henry82 said :

Not sure why anyone would walk through there at night. there have been more than enough assaults, perverts, muggings and vandals to know its not a safe place at night.

http://the-riotact.com/tag/glebe-park

The nighttime doesn’t constrain some of them either..a few stories of daylight perv spottings..Setting up lunchtime camp in the low bushes behind the Parkroyal for a titillating view of a lunchtime lover’s tryst..

Henry82 said :

Not sure why anyone would walk through there at night. there have been more than enough assaults, perverts, muggings and vandals to know its not a safe place at night.

http://the-riotact.com/tag/glebe-park

7pm is not exactly late. It’s barely dark by then.

Not sure why anyone would walk through there at night. there have been more than enough assaults, perverts, muggings and vandals to know its not a safe place at night.

http://the-riotact.com/tag/glebe-park

About time we hired some armed guards to stake out Glebe Park.

…or if you see a Nikon D7000 with a 24-70 f2.8 lens being traded in somewhere. See more info on the Canberra Photographers group on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/canberra_act/discuss/72157627610296807/

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