Drug raid a sign of new times, community says

By Anne Von Fehrn

Residents of The Block at Redfern have come out in full support of last month’s drug raid, despite claims that the community was hostile towards police.
Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC), Mick Mundine, said the April 30 raid ‘ which involved more than 100 police and resulted in 17 arrests ‘ highlighted the need for change.
‘We need change for the new generation of children and not a new generation of drugs,’ Mr Mundine said.
He told The City News that media reports at the time suggested the raid was unwelcome, based on a minority who were very sceptical of police actions.
‘The only victims of the raid are the dealers,’ Mr Mundine said. ‘Anybody who is critical of the raid is probably involved in this whole drug cycle.’
Less than 20 people currently live on The Block, but over the last decade drug consumption and trafficking has been on the rise.
Shane Phillips has lived on The Block his entire life, and said that a majority of dealers and addicts are not local.
‘We don’t want those people here who come and destroy the community by making a quick buck ‘ we want a safe family environment,’ the 43-year-old, father of three, said.
‘We’d be the first to get up when the police does something wrong but in this case it’s the dealers to blame.
‘We need to make a real stand. It is time that we start teaching our people that you can achieve in life. Get off this welfare and victim mentality. I say to the kids, imagine you could own a business one day. We need to aim high to move on and break the mould,’ Mr Phillips said.
Lani Tuitavake, a 42-year old mother of seven agrees, and said that the raid was a good starting point but that action needs to follow suit.
‘We need to go with the momentum otherwise we’ll loose it,’ Ms Tuitavake said. She noted that the area had been quiet since the raid, unlike other times when dealers had returned to The Block within 24-hours to continue business.
‘I feel threatened by these people, they are out of their minds,’ Ms Tuitavake said.
‘But you get out there and tell them off because of the kids. No one seems to care about the kids today anymore.’
The NSW Department of Planning is currently reviewing a plan submitted by the AHC to redevelop The Block.
‘Our people have fought hard to get this land,’ Mr Mundine said. ‘We have been through a vicious circle and have learned from our mistakes. It is time for the youth to come in and turn the tide.’