By CASEY NEILL
Cheap alcohol blamed for violence after body found …
NEVER sleep in Dandenong Park.
A Dandenong welfare worker issued the warning after an off-duty Protective Services Officer found a body while walking his dog through the park about 4.30am on 19 November.
The 43-year-old homeless man, previously of Narre Warren, had suffered injuries to his upper body.
Homicide Squad detectives said the death was suspicious.
The victim had eaten his last hot meal at Cornerstone Contact Centre in central Dandenong just hours earlier.
“He had a backpack bed, so there’s a fair chance I gave it to him,” co-ordinator Don Cameron said.
“Apparently he was at Cornerstone on Tuesday night for a meal. I’m not sure what happened from there.”
Mr Cameron showed detectives photographs of his regulars to help with the identification process.
“He’s somebody’s son,” he said.
“We’re sad about that happening on our streets.”
The death didn’t surprise Mr Cameron.
“Dandenong Park has a reputation of where a lot of people who drink a lot go,” he said.
“I know one fellow who said he was threatened by people there who won’t go anywhere near the area.
“Occasionally people come through town, sleeping rough. They don’t know the safer areas of Dandenong.
“Avoid Dandenong Park. Never sleep out in the open.”
Cornerstone, a faith mission that provides welfare assistance, provides backpack beds or finds accommodation for people sleeping rough.
Mr Cameron said many slept under bushes along Dandenong Creek or caught a train out to Pakenham and camped in paddocks.
“They don’t want to be exposed,” he said.
“We know some people who might sleep during the day, so at night time you can wander into a venue that’s open.”
Mr Cameron said many violent incidents went unreported because the victims had police records or didn’t want to “dob in” their attacker and risk reprisals.
He said restricting the growing number of liquor outlets nearby would help to quell the violence because increased competition pushed down prices.
“They can get a cask of wine for $4. That’s a huge amount of alcohol,” Mr Cameron said.
“They can get very, very drunk.
“Even at Dandenong Railway Station there’s a bottle shop there.
“They get their alcohol and go down to Dandenong Park or to the Plaza.”
City of Greater Dandenong councillor Matthew Kirwan said he and other councillors agreed that there were too many liquor outlets in Dandenong.
“Particularly in easy reach of public transport,” he said.
“We’ve got so many outlets now that most of our residents can easily walk to one.
“Unfortunately we’re constrained by State Government policies at the moment. We can’t directly reduce the number of outlets.”
Cr Kirwan said Greater Dandenong was working with a consortium of councils in the south east on a research study to mount a case for more powers to reduce the number of outlets.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au to make a confidential report.
