No more sitting ducks

‘No crime’ for a month as residents fight back

Residents of an exclusive Gold Coast enclave facing a minicrime wave claim doing community patrols and sharing CCTV has helped win back their suburb.

Calypso Bay residents say they have now had zero breakins reported in the past month, after months of taking matters into their own hands.

It followed a crime spree last year, with residents of the exclusive estate in Jacobs Well saying they now consider themselves “one of the safest suburbs in Queensland”.

Resident David Zuegn said the situation was “chalk and cheese” from six months ago – after eight break-and-enters reported in October alone.

“We’re not living in fear – we’re just vigilant,” he said. “We’ve had no break-and-enters all month, no stolen cars, nothing at all.

“That’s the big difference, rather than sitting there and waiting for something to happen – getting out there, being proactive and doing something.”

In November last year, residents took matters into their own hands after a string of daylight and armed break-ins they say left them “sitting ducks” – blaming the brazen robberies on a lack of policing.

The northern Gold Coast community banded together to form an online neighbourhood network, sharing CCTV, patrolling the estate and urging other neighbours to install alarm systems and cameras

Calypso Bay resident

after a stream of home invasions.

Mr Zuegn said it was all “absolutely paying off”, with the added help of a Jacobs Well police beat having a second officer assigned in recent months.

Mr Zuegn said pressure from residents was put on developer Roche Group behind Calypso Bay for added security measures.

“We have extra security now, two security guards, one positioned at the entrance hut of the estate at all times (when on shift) and the other one patrolling.

“They’ve got a big light shining on to the road so as every car comes in, every car is scrutinised by our guards and if there’s anything suss he’ll radio to the guy that’s patrolling.”

He said estate levies had increased by 12 per cent to accommodate for the added security, but it was “well worth” the cost.

“The extra security was a massive win for us,” he said.

“They’ve turned multiple cars away that could have ended up another (crime) statistic.”

The Roche Group was contacted for comment.

In February Queensland Police Service confirmed the Jacobs Well police beat, which services Calypso Bay, was back at full capacity.

Due to the retirement of one officer, the police beat only had one officer for a period of time, with residents claiming their calls to the station often went unanswered.

Mr Zuegn said having a second officer had helped.

“I met with Zoe, the new officer of Jacobs Well police beat – she’s been fantastic, responsive – we call, they answer now.

“There was a car in our estate that was suss, gave her a call, within 10 minutes she was already in the estate.”

We’re not living in fear – we’re just vigilant. We’ve had no break-and-enters all month, no stolen cars, nothing at all.