Worker fears gang threats
GANGS of drunks wandering the streets of Manunda vandalising property have become so threatening one nearby worker has been forced to quit her job.
Lorrae Pearson, who up until Monday was managing a Manunda service station, said the constant threat posed by the gangs had played a major part in her decision to quit her job.
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Ms Pearson said she would often turn up to work at 4.30am and face abuse and physical threats from the drunks, and she often saw them committing vandalism on nearby cars and other property.
"There were several very dangerous incidents," she said.
"At one stage, I had to lock myself in a stock room because I had three men trying to touch me over the counter.
"It just got to the point where sometimes I would open up and wonder if I would get out alive."
Ms Pearson said she had no doubt the threatening behaviour was connected to a recent spate of vandalism and several bashings.
"It is definitely connected to the vandalism, and the bashing on the (Cochrane St) footbridge.
"It’s gangs. The tavern closes at 3am and everyone just roams the streets.
"It is not a safe environment at all."
Ms Pearson said police would often approach the service station and request CCTV footage but said the threatening behaviour had continued.
"It angers me that people can make you feel that vulnerable," she said. Ms Pearson said while the behaviour of the drunks had played a major role in her decision to quit, safety procedure issues with the service station had also
contributed.
Meanwhile, readers of cairns.com.au reacted angrily to video of a gang of teenagers using a large concrete block to cause $5000 worth of damage to a car parked in Reservoir Rd last Friday night.
"These poor kids need mentors, and a good kick in the backside," Brendan Fitzgerald posted.
Anyone with information on the vandalism attacks should contact Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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In fear: Lorrae Pearson has thrown in her job at a Manunda service station because of threats from drunken gang members. Picture: MARC McCORMACK
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