Community blames safe injecting room for rising crime levels
Residents of a Melbourne suburb are mounting a campaign to have a safe injecting room moved, claiming it’s to blame for rising crime levels in the area.
Richmond residents also claim their health is suffering, and that not all drug users are choosing to use the facility.
One man was filmed jumping over a fence in the suburb to use drugs before being moved on by a resident.
“I think it’s situated in the wrong place,” said one man who wished to remain anonymous.
“It’s in the middle of a school district.”
Seven News understands there has been a significant increase in assaults, burglaries, sexual assaults and thefts from vehicles since the safe injecting room opened.
One concerned resident said she and others “feel like we’re under siege”.
Injecting room staff make the point they’ve saved more than 300 people from overdoses and are unaware of an increase in crime.
Dr Nico Clark said the aim is to provide a space for everyone to use “in a way that’s constructive”.
The campaign to move the facility is about to step up.
Residents will meet on Wednesday night and make plans to lobby the coroner to support their push to relocate the centre.
Despite this, work continues on a new building at the safe injecting room which will vastly increase its capacity.
