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Cotton Tree's drug criticism
REBECCA MARSHALL | Sunshine Coast Daily | 14.05.2006

DRUG use, homelessness and crime are damaging the picturesque beach suburb of Cotton Tree, according to residents and traders.

But police say disturbances are no worse there than any other part of the Coast.

Mojo's takeaway manager Louise Lynam said more police could help combat the town's problems.

"I've heard about needle use over in the (Cotton Tree Parade) park and a few kids that hang around and steal from people," she said.

"Kids hide in the trees and jump out of them to steal money from people and they go after old people, which is a shame because they can't defend themselves.

"I've had a few old ladies come in and say it happened to them.

"It's a worry for the residents and maybe it needs more police on the Coast to stop it."

Resident Randal Hardy said drug use and homelessness were closely linked and that it had been a problem in Cotton Tree for a long time.

"I've seen deals going on in King Street," he said.

"You see money and bags of white powder changing hands - it doesn't stop at marijuana.

"There are also people who live in the park and a lot of business goes on down there.

"The police were called on an occasion I know of, but my understanding was that it was too hard and they didn't come down here."

Officer in charge of Maroochydore Police, Senior Sergeant Peter Flanders, said claims of police inaction in the area were "completely unfair" and said officers would always respond to any report, provided it was made.

"Anytime someone rings with a complaint, we attend to it," he said.

"We definitely encourage people to ring in with information."

Mr Hardy said highlighting the problem could help alleviate it.

Senior Sergeant Flanders said Cotton Tree was known to police as an area where a small number of homeless people slept on sand dunes or near toilets.

"But largely, they don't come to our attention," he said.

"It's not over-represented in drug usage at all."

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