By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A MAN has been left with multiple fractures to his jaw after he was seriously assaulted at a notoriously dangerous park in Pakenham over the weekend.
A group of six people including the male victim was at Bourke Park opposite the Pakenham train station when they were approached by another mixed-gender group around 6.30pm on Saturday 27 September.
Police said the offending group, made up of two men and two women believed to be in their teens engaged with the other group before two men began attacking each other.
During the assault, the male victim was kicked in the head and was sent sprawling on the ground.
The offenders, who were travelling in a blue Nissan Pulsar parked close to the scene, then fled before the victim was rushed to a local hospital.
The incident flies in the face of the State Government and Cardinia Shire Council who invested $250,000 to improve the park’s safety under a crime prevention initiative late last year.
The park, which has often been the scene of assault, illicit drug use, vandalism and other anti-social behaviours was fitted with improved lighting, footpaths, children’s playgrounds and sheltered area in an attempt to stamp out crime.
But locals don’t believe the efforts have done much to detract violent offenders from the area.
On the Pakenham Gazette’s Facebook page, Belinda wrote, “waited there for 10 minutes the other day … junkies galore setting up to score from the train … felt nervous letting the kids play while waiting to pick someone up.”
As well as trying to create more of a community space out of the park, the government also promised that PSOs would patrol the station from 6pm until the last train.
Despite this, residents still fear their safety around the station precinct at night.
Tara said, “I won’t catch the train because I don’t want to go near there. The thought of coming home and having to wait there for a cab is terrifying. We will move eventually because of it.”
Police believe the groups involved in the incident may be known to each other and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information about the incident should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
