Community
29 January, 2025
‘We’ve had a gutful’
A SPATE of vandalism to shop fronts, property break-ins and verbal abuse hurled at business owners in Mossman has reached breaking point.
In just the last couple of weeks there have been a number of cases of smashed windows and other damage to businesses in Front St, including the Post Office, the Exchange Hotel, the old Print Shop location, Cignall Mossman, Western Road Clothing and Tack, Mossman Hotel, Beechwoods Café and the recently refurbished Services Australia building.
Beechwoods Café Owner Sharon Beechey arrives for work about 4am each day and has recently had windows broken while on the premises and being verbally abused outside the front of her business.
“When we get ready to open each morning, which is about 4am, there are small groups of people along Front St clearly under the influence of alcohol,” she said.
“While we are setting up, certain individuals have attempted to break our windows with chairs and have then given me threatening verbal abuse when I have asked them to stop. I have replaced several windows recently.
“Like other businesses, we have had a gutful. We need a bigger police presence in Mossman.”
Mossman Hotel and Hughie’s Wine Bar owner Paul McMahon has also experienced damage to his properties.
“It seems to be mainly kids causing the problems. Enough is enough,” Mr McMahon said.
Police have been called several times, but business owners say officers have not always been available.
“After asking for police help, officers were unable to attend, apparently needing a higher authority. I’m not sure why this would be the case,” Ms Beechey said.
The new ‘State Flying Squad’, with an increased number of full-time police officers, has been in the Far North but has been concentrating on Cairns and the Tablelands.
Both Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and Member for Cook Peter Kempton are concerned.
“I am disappointed to hear about the criminal damage occurring at businesses in Mossman,” Cr Scomazzon said.
“The past 12 months has been a challenging time for many business owners and I am sure this is another frustrating setback for them,” she said.
“While crime is a police matter, I would encourage people to continue sharing their concerns with me and the other elected members. Council is always open to discussion on how to make our community safer.”
Mr Kempton said residents and businesses in Mossman had faced a spate of break-ins and smashed shop windows and were fed up with the situation.
“I have been talking to businesses and locals and, in conjunction with the Mayor Lisa Scomazzon, I am in the process of organising a public forum to develop a response to the youth crime issue to take to government.”
Police have charged an 18-year-old Kowanyama man following an alleged wilful damage incident in Mossman, on January 6.
It will be alleged in the early morning, the man caused damage to doors and windows at four businesses on Front Street.
Later that morning he was arrested and charged with four counts of wilful damage.
He was due to appear in the Mossman Magistrates Court on January 8.
About 4.30am on January 9, a 20-year-old Kowanyama woman allegedly caused damage to the window of a Front Street business. She was charged with one count each of wilful damage and commit public nuisance and received an adult caution.
Mossman police do not believe the isolated incidents are linked and encourage the public to report any suspicious behaviour.
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