A team of Fed-Up residents has merged to form a 3000-person civilian group in response to violent juvenile crime in their neighborhood.
The membership of Rochedale South Neighborhood Crime Watchers has risen after a series of armed robberies in southern Brisbane.
Founder Damion Douglass created the group six months ago after he heard that a young boy had been attacked on his way home from school.
“(We are a) bunch of mothers and fathers who have come together to patrol, if the police cannot,” Mr Douglass told the Courier Mail.
Group members use a live chat to warn each other about the location of potential perpetrators and CCTV of the, Machete-Hancing Individuals dressed by Balaclava.
Brenda Owen shared a photo of a young man with a fish knife in her driveway on Tuesday.
“We are very sick of it … It is exactly what Brisbane has become,” she wrote.
Mr Douglass said that some homeowners are unable to afford home protection and the Government of Queensland have called on a discount for families in affected areas.
The more than 3,000 members of the Rochedale South Neighborhood Crime Watchers keep each other informed in the LiveChat (photo)
Group members share CCTV of alleged perpetrators on the LiveChat
Rochedale South Neighborhood Crime Watchers was founded by Damion Douglass (depicted) in response to a wave of juvenile crime affecting Brisbane's south
The police still hunt those who are responsible for a series of robberies in Rochedale South, Carindale, Eagleby, Underwood and Manly West.
It is claimed that the group, armed with knives and a crowbar, stole three cars, jewelry, electronics and threatened a woman in seven burglaries.
Southern Brisbane Police District Acting Chief Inspector Shane Holmes said that the ruthless wave of juvenile crime was 'disgusting'.
“We have a zero tolerance for everyone who wants to endanger the safety of the community or their sense of security,” said Acting Supt Holmes.
“I want the community to know that we have aimed at finding and arresting police activities and arresting this group and disturbing further violations that endanger our communities.”
Minister of Youth Justice Laura Gerber defended the 'Queensland Safer Laws' from the government after it was suggested that the wave of crimes indicated their ineffectivity.
She called on Queenslanders to be patient in seeing the results of the new adult crime, time sentences for adults – especially when reducing repeated offensive.
“We have been with Queenslanders in advance that it will take time before those laws work through the system and come into effect,” said Mrs. Gerber.
