Australia - Police discount threat of Blacktown bikie wars

OFF THE WIRE
blacktown-advocate.whereilive.com.au
AT 10.20pm on January 12, residents living in Gerald Cresent at Doonside brace themselves as outside a hail of bullets is fired at their neighbour’s home.
At least 30 bullets are spent in the drive-by shooting targeting alleged Notorious gang member Sabre Murad.
The attack marks the second time in six weeks the residents have been subjected to turf-war style attacks.
On November 30 residents were horrified by the screams of Mr Murad as he was shot twice in the legs at the same Gerald Cresent residence.
But police refuse to acknowledge a gang-related problem is on the rise.
“There is no bikie gang war going on, ” NSW Police acting gang squad commander Wayne Hayes told the Advocate.
“Residents should not take on a siege mentality, they are not in any danger.”
Despite the reassurance of police, some residents are nervous that more violence is on the way.
“Everyone is scared,” one Gerald Cresent resident said.
“Normally this kind of thing is only on the news, we don’t know what to expect next.”
Since November 30 there has been at least five violent attacks on homes and businesses in Blacktown and surrounding areas, all of which resemble bikie-style warfare.
While superintendent Hayes confirmed a spike in violent criminal activity in the area since November, he said that did not indicate a gang war was brewing.
“There is nothing to indicate a war is going on,” he said. “In a short period of time it seems like a lot, but numbers are stable.”
The recent arrest of two men in relation to the Gerald Cresent shooting - both believed to be members of the Comancheros motorcycle gang - challenges superintendent Hayes’ theory.
Danny Nassar, 26 and Shahin Norozian were arrested on January 18 and charged with a number of offences, including the attempted murder of Mr Murad on November 30.
Police are yet to link the men with the Gerald Cresent shooting which occurred this month.
“There is no linkage at this stage,” superintendent Hayes said.
“That means the local police either do not believe it is linked, or a link can’t be established.”
While police are working to resolve the violence there are a number of organised criminal groups in residence in areas surrounding Blacktown.
Bike gangs The Finks, Life and Death, The Lone Wolfs and Nomads, all have local chapters around the area and while gangs Notorious and The Comancheros are based further afield, that does not hinder their activity in the streets of western Sydney.
Superintendent Hayes said he was confident however, that police were on top of the situation.
Meanwhile, residents have shown a mixed reaction to the recent spate of shootings on their streets. While some residents are fearful, others have dismissed the events.
I’m not involved and none of my family are involved and there’s nothing really I can do about it,” a Dean Park resident said after a recent home invasion in Doolan Street.