Petition for Urgent Action to Protect Community Safety and Vulnerable Individual

Our community is currently facing a serious and ongoing safety concern that requires immediate attention from relevant authorities.

A vulnerable individual residing in our area is being left without adequate supervision for extended periods, creating a clear risk to both their own safety and the safety of others. This situation has escalated to a point where urgent intervention is necessary.

Recently, this individual was struck by a vehicle outside a residential property, highlighting the severity of the risk they face when unsupervised. Despite this incident, there appears to have been insufficient action taken to prevent further harm. Discussions with the individual’s carers indicate that their ability to intervene is significantly limited due to legal and operational restrictions. Additionally, supervision is reportedly only provided for approximately eight hours per day, leaving long periods where the individual is left alone and unattended.

We also note with serious concern that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been contacted on multiple occasions regarding these ongoing risks. Despite repeated reports and requests for intervention, the situation remains unresolved and the same dangerous behaviours continue, placing both the individual and the community at ongoing risk.

Further, carers have advised community members that they have experienced physical aggression while providing support, including being subjected to choking or strangulation attempts. They have indicated that they feel unable to physically intervene in many situations due to concerns that doing so may breach legal or policy restrictions relating to the use of force. This highlights a critical gap between the individual’s needs and the level of support and protections currently in place.

During unsupervised periods, the individual has been observed engaging in highly dangerous and distressing behaviour.
This includes:

• entering roadways and placing themselves in front of moving vehicles
• attempting to access private homes and vehicles
• repeatedly harassing residents, chasing individuals in the street
• persistently ringing doorbells/banging aggressively on windows/doors

These actions have caused significant fear, disruption, and concern among community members and for the individuals wellbeing and safety.

Of particular concern is the presence of vulnerable members of our community in nearby public spaces. Children with disabilities regularly wait at a local park to be collected by their school bus, and families with young children frequently use the park for recreation and play. The current situation presents an unacceptable risk to these individuals, who are entitled to feel safe in their environment.

Community members have also sought assistance from emergency services, including police and ambulance services, on multiple occasions.

However, there is a strong perception within the community that these responses have not resulted in effective or lasting intervention. There are ongoing concerns that the individual is repeatedly returned to the community without sufficient safeguards in place to prevent further incidents.

It is evident that the individual requires a significantly higher level of support than is currently being provided. The individual requires appropriate, structured, and continuous care, with access to the right resources and trained professionals to ensure both the individuals safety and the safety of others. Without this, the individual is being failed by the systems intended to protect and support the individual.

This situation raises serious concerns regarding duty of care and the adequacy of current supervision and support arrangements.

To avoid misunderstanding about the intent of this petition, we want to clarify the following for readers:

It is also important to note that community members and/or involved parties have repeatedly sought assistance through multiple formal channels.

These channels have been contacted on numerous occasions in response to escalating incidents. Despite this, the situation remains ongoing and unresolved, with recurring behaviours continuing to place both the individual and the community at risk.

This clarification is provided to highlight that informal resolution has not been sufficient and that escalation through existing systems has already been attempted.

This petition is not about labelling or blaming the individual, who is understood to be a vulnerable person requiring significant support. The purpose is to highlight that the current level of supervision and care is not sufficient to meet the individuals needs or ensure safety for all parties involved.

However, community members have reported ongoing incidents that have contributed to concern and the need for urgent review.

These include:

• aggressive and unpredictable behaviour towards residents
• attempts to access/enter private vehicles and approaching occupied cars
• attempting to enter childcare centres
• banging on doors and windows during early morning hours (approximately 3am–6am)
• entering roadways and placing himself in unsafe situations around traffic
• repeated abuse/distress caused to residents, including families with children

These reports are included only to provide context for why urgent reassessment of care arrangements is being requested.

The intent remains focused on ensuring appropriate supervision, reducing risk, and securing a long-term, structured care solution.

We, the undersigned, call on the relevant local authorities and responsible agencies to:

• Urgently reassess the current care and supervision arrangements in place
• Increase the level and consistency of supervision, including consideration of 24-hour care
• Ensure carers are appropriately supported, trained, and authorised to respond safely to high-risk behaviours
• Implement appropriate, lawful, and effective interventions to prevent harm
• Consider alternative care arrangements, including supported accommodation or clinical settings, where the individual can receive the level of care he requires

Immediate action must be taken to ensure that both the individual receives appropriate care and that the safety and wellbeing of the Beveridge community is protected.

By signing this petition, you are supporting a call for responsible, lawful, and effective intervention. Our community deserves to feel safe, and this individual deserves proper care, dignity, and protection from harm.

We urge authorities to act without delay.