HAVING had her purse stolen, Michelle McGowan has decided to act.
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The mother, who has epilepsy, wants Wodonga Council to tackle beggars who she says are tied to the theft that happened in High Street outside Coles supermarket three days before Christmas.
Ms McGowan has collected 64 signatures on a petition, which is now being considered by the council.
“We draw to the attention of the council beggars are on the streets in our CBD and they’re accosting members of the public and local businesses,” it states.
“We therefore request that the matter be attended more often to move the beggars on and the local laws be amended to be able to be enforced.”
Ms McGowan, who regularly visits the chemist next to Coles for her epilepsy, said the beggars were creating alarm.
“A lot of people have had enough,” she said.
“People won’t park out the front of Coles because they are affected it and they park out the back of Coles.”
As The Border Mail photographed Ms McGowan on Sunday a woman called on passers-by to give her cash.
“It really does not make us look good when tourists come through and I feel people will not come back, they will go elsewhere,” Ms McGowan said.
The council will reply to the petition at its April meeting.
Councillors Danny Lowe and John Watson expressed unease at the use of the term beggar when the petition was tabled.
“I just don’t think that’s really an appropriate thing to be saying in our community,” Cr Watson said.
Cr Lowe, who manages an Albury snow and water sport shop, said: “I probably echo John’s thoughts actually.
“Sometimes spending a little time to get the story behind why the person is standing on the street is more important than getting them off the street.”
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie told The Border Mail that Wodonga police would be consulted as part of the council’s response.
“We need to talk to the police,” Cr Speedie said.
“We need to have a report to council, so that we actually have the facts on the table not the perception and not fear.
“It’s really important that we actually get the correct facts, so that we can justify a decision.”
Asked if she had ever been accosted by someone, Cr Speedie said no.
Ms McGowan wants beggars to have their names taken by council staff and be given move-on notices and “if they are seen down there again they can fine them because already know what the law is”.
