From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli

The sight of two young women, swearing and cussing, and having a full-on fistfight in the bus shelter in Little Bridge Street was truly disturbing; so much so, it caused me to phone the Ballarat police station to report the incident.

I AM not exactly sure what I expected them to say – or do – but it does require urgent action. The area is becoming increasing more dangerous. There is only so much we can expect of the Ballarat Police, and they are not responsible for solving the woes of our dysfunctional and fragmented society; however, if their numbers and patrols are not increased, I predict something horrendous will happen in the hot-spot area of Little Bridge Street. The unpredictable flotsam and jetsam which gathers at all hours needs to be controlled. Also, the congregating for the consumption of alcohol on the benches outside of the Coles’ Supermarket is a matter of growing concern.

For the greater part, I travel around Ballarat by public transport. At least twice I week I catch the number 11 bus to Howitt Street, Wendouree.

The behaviour in the Little Bridge Street bus shelter area, opposite the UFS pharmacy, is unacceptable, and often confronting. There is an atmosphere of restraint when the police patrol walks through; however, the moment they are out-of-sight the shenanigans start-up, again. To be a significant deterrent it requires a constant presence. Many people are intimidated, particularly the elderly.

I have observed, and spoken with, several older ladies who are terrified as they wait for their buses. They sit, staring at the ground and trying to make themselves as inconspicuous possible so as not to incur the wrath of one of the antisocial reprobates.

I am not prudish when it comes to language but the tirade one hears in Little Bridge Street is obscene, and deeply offensive. I have worked on plays where all those words have been used – and usually to great effect – but this is a horse of a totally different colour.

Regularly, I see one particularly unfortunate young woman who paces up-and-down, and is given to ugly outburst of belligerent, disturbing behaviour.

I had an encounter with a smartarse teenager on a skateboard. Had he come one passing-skate closer to my feet I would not have hesitated to have acted in self-defence – and I am not violent by nature, but such was his behaviour that I was forced to momentarily consider my options.

The encounter should never have occurred. We should all feel safe as we move around the city. It is time we claimed back the security of our public environs.

In defence of the police – for whom I have the greatest regard and hold in the highest esteem – it is not their responsibility. This requires a collaboration. Unequivocally, anyone who touches the uniform should you go to jail – no passing ‘GO’ – no collecting £100 – no argument.

It should be incarceration! The men and women in blue are all that stand between us and anarchy and chaos.

They must be accorded the respect their uniform demands.

The bus shelter in Little Bridge Street urgently needs a police booth which is staffed for the greater part of the day. The intimidating behaviour must be brought under control before something horrific happens – and, mark my words – it will. This is a tinderbox waiting for an igniting spark of flint. Anyone who regularly travels on buses from this point will tell you: It is only a matter of time.

In this case: prevention is better than cure!

Roland can directly contacted by email to [email protected] and you can hear him every Monday morning from 10.30am on radio 3BA.