Assyrian Community

Response to Gang Crimes

In recent months, the Assyrian community in Australia has received some negative media attention due to gang violence in the streets of Fairfield NSW. Especially troubling for the community is the number of young people involved in incidents where shooting fatalities and other forms of violence have occurred.

Even though there are organised crime gangs in other communities, the impact of one particular gang in Fairfield has been felt very strongly by the Assyrian community. Many have been disturbed by the recent deaths of two young Assyrians, one of whom was shot dead in front of Babylon Café and another at a 7/11 petrol station. In addition to the grief, negative media reports have been perceived as tainting the whole community with the criminal actions of the gang which has been identified as having Assyrian and Chaldean members.

As part of police investigations, the Fairfield Local Area Command has made contact with Assyrian community leaders, in particular the Assyrian Australian Association, the Assyrian Church of the East, the Ancient Church of the East and the Chaldean Church. Meetings with Fairfield Local Area Commander Mr. Ray King, Detective Inspector Mr. Gary Bailey and Ethnic Community Liaison Officers Mr. Uttara Khchao and Mr. Alex Santana have discussed and planned a program to raise awareness about the recent crimes and provide information on how to contact the police. Detective Inspector Mr. Bailey has spoken on the SBS Radio Assyrian Program and will also be interviewed on Echo from Nineveh community radio station. He has informed the Assyrian community on these matters and given advice on the type of assistance needed to apprehend the criminals.

It is understood that in general, community members have no association with, or knowledge of, criminal activities; yet the lack of response from individuals with specific knowledge is attributed to concerns over their safety being compromised once a report is made to the police. The local police are keen to establish regular meetings with community leaders, utilising contacts through the Assyrian Australian Association.

Police have said the gang calls itself ‘DLASTHR’ (meaning 'the last hour') and has about 200 members. Police have described this gang as unusually violent, harming people over what would normally be minor conflicts. Police have identified gang members as having elaborate tattoos on their backs with the gang name and other iconic symbols, such as St George and the dragon as well as portraits of Assyrian kings.

Detective Inspector Gary Bailey, Crime Manager at Fairfield Local Command Area, can be contacted on 9728 0399. People can also leave an anonymous report on the Crime Stoppers hotline by calling from a public telephone on 1800 333 000. Detective Inspector Bailey has assured the community that individuals making reports will have their confidentiality protected.

Meeting of Community Leaders

The Assyrian Federation of Australia recently took steps to create an open forum for community leaders to discuss youth-related concerns. As a result, a strong show of 22 representatives from Assyrian organisations attended a meeting that was held on Sunday 21 May 2006 at the Assyrian Sports and Cultural Club. In the three hour meeting, all present had an opportunity to speak on common points relating to the needs of youth and how to develop strategies to reduce crime and engage young people in positive community activities.

The Assyrian Australian Association commended the aim of the meeting and reported on its contact with the local police and churches. The Association encouraged other organisations to utilise the present framework it has helped to set up for working with police.

Points discussed at the meeting included the need for Assyrian and Chaldean organisations to work together on these issues; strengthen the linkage with local police through regular meetings; develop community activities to adequately meet the social needs of young Assyrians; raise awareness of parents about the importance of school contact and conduct research to better identify problem areas and their solutions. There was unanimous agreement that this forum should continue and encourage other organisations to attend in a spirit of cooperation.

As the meeting drew to an end, those in attendance acknowledged that if this forum became successfully established within the community, it will serve to promote harmony and play an effective role in attending to the needs of Assyrians in the Fairfield area.

A future meeting will be held on Sunday 11 June 2006 at 2 pm at the Assyrian Culture Club.

Article posted: 01/06/2006