A popular cafe in Melbourne's Footscray suburb has closed, with its owners and a former local official blaming a "socialist" group for successfully campaigning against private security patrols that they argue were necessary to combat rising crime.
Counterweight Vinyl & Espresso announced its permanent closure on Saturday, citing the "absolute dumpster fire" that the area has become due to violent crime. The cafe stated that the surge in crime was the direct reason for its shutdown. In a parting message, the business shared that it would be selling shirts with the slogan "Footscray is a s***hole."
Pradeep Tiwari, the former mayor of Maribyrnong in Melbourne's inner-west, criticized the Footscray Community Response Group for its opposition to increased security patrols. He asserted that the closure of Counterweight Vinyl & Espresso was a direct consequence of these patrols being called off.
The security patrols were discontinued in February following protests by the Footscray Community Response Group, which also encouraged residents to boycott businesses supporting enhanced security. These safety measures were implemented after the violent death of 62-year-old photographer Dominic O'Brien and the police shooting of Abdifatah Ahmed last year.
Tiwari highlighted the broader impact on local commerce, noting that the group had also called for a boycott of an Indonesian food truck event at Mr West Bar & Bottle Shop because the establishment supported the security patrols. He stated that the group seemed to be against any business advocating for safety in the area and that such actions hindered council efforts to promote business growth.
Recent incidents in Footscray, including a fatal stabbing outside the Courthouse Hotel and an attack on Labor MP Katie Hall, have further fueled concerns about safety. Tiwari expressed his devastation over the termination of the security patrols, adding that the council had hired officers from diverse backgrounds to ensure fair treatment of homeless and marginalized communities.
The Footscray Community Response Group, described as a "grassroots" organization, states on its website that it opposes the use of local laws officers and security personnel to address social and health issues in Footscray. The group argues that it does not consider homeless, drug-affected, disadvantaged, immigrant, or refugee individuals to be inherently anti-social or dangerous. It advocates against policies that it believes lead to the "over-policing, racial profiling or dehumanization" of individuals experiencing poverty and visibility in public spaces due to governmental policy failures.
Maribyrnong City Council is currently considering a new initiative called the "Footscray Welcome Crew," seeking public input on the program. This initiative aims to provide a friendly, visible presence in Footscray's center, offering support through "non-authoritative" measures. Mayor Mohomed Semra stated that the Welcome Crew is part of a vision to foster a welcoming environment and support local businesses and community members. The Footscray Community Response Group has published a guide on its website for responding to the council's public consultation on this new program.