Shire green-lights Kimberley pub’s electric fence to combat repeat break-ins, youth crime

The Shire of Halls Creek has approved a local pub’s application to install an electric fence around its boundary to combat repeated break-ins at the site. Passed during the October council meeting on Thursday, the move will see an electric security fence erected around 70 per cent of Halls Creek’s Kimberley Hotel. Shire President Malcolm Edwards said there was much debate between councillors whether to accept the application. “One of our councillor was against it because of the look... Another was concerned of health reasons for someone with a heart issue.” The motion passed, four votes to three. “It’s real pity that we have to go to this extent, but I just respect the hotel’s need for security for their guests and staff.” The man behind the plans, Kimberley Accommodation Group Director Martin Peirson-Jones, said conditions have made it challenging for the community to manage sustained levels of crime that targets homes, business and essential community services. “The hotels primary concern is the comfort of our staff and guests, and the security of property,” he said. “The proposal put to Shire incorporates or exceeds all necessary Australian Standards relating to the installation and operation as it relates to personal safety. We believe it can be effective in its purpose as well as more aesthetically pleasing than some of the security fencing solutions being used in the region.” The security fence is set to include a mobile alarm system triggered by pulse detection, tampering or faults. The proposal was open for public comment for the two weeks prior, with one submission received questioning the risk posed to children or those with a heart condition, should they touch the fence. Castle Security-Perth said the shock emitted from the fence will be “perfectly harmless” to anyone who comes into contact. “Anyone touching the fence will receive a short and painful shock (pulses are every 1.2 seconds) similar to the static shock you can get when leaving your car — only more painful,” they said. It comes just days after The Kimberley Echo revealed nurses had fled Halls Creek after being attacked by youths throwing rocks, with one staff member being hit in the head by a projectile. The injury occurred when a group of youths, believed to be as young as 12, pelted the Halls Creek People’s Church Frail Aged Care Centre with rocks on Sunday night. Agency nurse Casta McCullough described the fear residents and staff at the centre felt during the ordeal. “We get rocks thrown at us all the time but this time it was really bad. It sounded like gunshots, the residents were crying, all you could hear was smash, smash, smash, “ the 32-year-old said. “One of the girls was looking through the window to see where they were (in the dark) and a big rock smashed through the window and hit her head.” Ms McCullough said the attack started at 7pm. “We were just sitting outside and this whole group of kids started walking to us, one of them asked for water and a nurse said, ‘No, sorry, we don’t have water here,’ and then they just started throwing rocks at us,” she said. Ms McCullough said they called them “c....” and “a........” and threatened: “We are coming for yah, we are going to get you.”