Deter Illegal Activity in Fairfield Recreation Ground

Context: The Fairfield Recreation Ground is well known for the antisocial and illegal activity of people using the grounds after dark. This is not new, but seems to be getting worse. Recreation equipment installed in 2019 was vandalised beyond use within a year, and drug use is prolific. Over the past 2-3 years residents have noticed a growing number of young women being harassed or threatened, and often worry for their safety. Residents whose homes border the park are constantly woken and often kept awake for hours on end, seriously impacting our health and wellbeing. 

It is proposed to install deterrents to antisocial &/or illegal behaviour. Some options include sensor lights covering the park benches, signs on the gates and benches advising that the area is under surveillance, undercover police to walk around the park a couple of times each night between midnight and 4am. Sensor lights facing the Recreation Ground could be mounted on existing lamp poles along Fairfield West for cost efficiency. Even dummy CCTV cameras are an effective solution, and very low cost to purchase and install. Note, the park bench opposite 8/9 Fairfield West seems to be a magnet for those engaging in the subject behaviours that need urgent attention. 

Urgent action is required to deter people engaging in antisocial &/or illegal activity in the Fairfield Recreation Ground for the wellbeing and safety of other users and local residents.