After 22 years away Alister Dias and his wife Neeva recently moved back to Williamstown.
With two of the couple’s three adult children also returning to live in Hobsons Bay, it was an easy decision for the Dias’s to make.
“I simply believe that these are all fantastic suburbs, full of history, culture and diversity and there’s nowhere on earth I’d rather live“ Alister Dias said.
But as pleased as they are to be back, the couple have also noticed some aspects of Hobsons Bay that have changed for the worse, most notably, crime.
“Car burglaries and thefts, house break ins, vandalism, firebombing of businesses and a very confronting story in the news when a 92 year old woman was brutally assaulted in broad daylight,” said Mr Dias of the incidents he’s noticed since returning to the area.
Surprised and concerned, Mr Dias took to a local Facebook group to ask if his neighbours felt the same way.
“I posted a general message of concern and asked the question ‘what can we do as a community to help prevent and stem some of this crime?’
“There was a lot of response, mainly comments of support but also comments of anger towards the government, police and council.“
With the release of crime statistics showing crime in Hobsons Bay had risen by 35 per cent in the year to March 30, Mr Dias and some of those who responded to his Facebook inquiry, decided to act.
They’re in the process of establishing a Neighbourhood Watch group for Williamstown and surrounding suburbs which they hope to launch by the end of this month.
An information session for the new group is being held at Newport Bowls Club on August 13.
“There are still some confusing perceptions about what Neighbourhood Watch is,” said Mr Dias of why the information night was needed.
“It is certainly not groups of people roaming around at night like vigilantes, its more about a series of safe practices where neighbours look out for each other and help to keep their street and the neighbourhood safe.”
To attend and for more information, email nhw.com.au with ‘Williamstown’ in the subject line.
