Mount Tarcoola crime: Cooper Circuit reports spike in street crime, residents feeling unsafe in own homes

A suburban street in Geraldton’s Mt Tarcoola is experiencing severe criminal activity, according to residents, who say they are starting to feel unsafe in their homes.

In a social media post to a neighbourhood watch page, an anonymous call for help was posted, seeking police intervention for the desperate community.

According to the post, residents of Cooper Circuit were calling for a “urgent intervention”.

The ongoing disturbances were said to be linked to a local property and were continuing to escalate.

“For an extended period, neighbours have reported repeated incidents involving large groups of youth gathering in the streets, intimidating nearby residents, and ongoing disruptive behaviour at all hours,” a resident said.

“These incidents, combined with visible drug-affected behaviour from adults, have created what residents describe as a highly volatile and distressing environment.”

The alleged situation in the Mt Tarcoola street was described to have escalated further last week, with visible property damage such as smashed front windows.

Police were said to have been called numerous times, sometimes even multiple times a day, yet the situation remained unresolved.

The post reporting the situation comes after Geraldton police officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Brendan Grogan said the best possible way to escalate an issue was to report it to Crime Stoppers, rather than social media.

“Geraldton police have responded to multiple calls for help in the street, and we are thankful that people are reporting issues to us and I urge them to continue being vigilant and diligent in doing so,” he said.

He said he was aware residents were frustrated with what appeared to be escalating crime rates, and “rightly so”.

“We continue our efforts to disrupt offenders, maintain high-visibility presence and respond as quickly as we can to calls for help,” Sen. Sgt Grogan said.

“Over the coming weeks we will be using Operation Heatshield to increase out capability in these areas, but ask the community also play their part in reducing their likelihood of victimisation and make it harder for offenders.”

Sen. Sgt Grogan noted his staff worked “tirelessly” to make Geraldton a safe place to live as everyone deserved to feel safe in the community.

The residents of Cooper Circuit claimed despite their consistent reporting, there had been “no meaningful or lasting resolution”.

“This is no longer just a disturbance, it is an escalating risk,” a resident said.

“There are children exposed to this environment, violence being witnessed, and ongoing intimidation in the street. It feels like it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.”

They said residents were seeking urgent attention to ensure the safety of those living in the area, especially children.

Sgt Grogan said it was important to keep reporting all incidents to police, as well as the Department of Communities when the safety of children was of concern.