The “self-help” meeting – to which many sectors of the community were invited – was called by a pro-active group of residents who decided that enough was enough.

They are intent on finding a solution to the crime that makes their suburb a misery in which to live; crime that in recent weeks has included a middle aged man, a young woman and two men being attacked by youths wielding baseball bats and stick.

It was unfortunate that the meeting’s organisers chose a night that clashed with the sitting of Maitland City Council. What the residents had to say was certainly something which all councillors – regardless of their ward allegiances – needed to hear.

Back to Mr Terenzini. It is hoped that Mr Terenzini went along with open ears; the media release he issued yesterday appeared as though he had a few too many pre-conceived ideas about crime in this city.

Mr Terenzini claimed, for example, that local crime was either stable or falling in 14 out of 17 crime categories. That may well be the case, but would hardly come as any comfort to people who have bashed by gangs, had their houses broken into or their cars stolen.

Mr Terenzini also tells us that the Iemma Government has provided a mobile police station to target crime hotspots, put on five new probationary constables in the area and introduced ‘move-on’powers to break up potential trouble-makers. Try to tell that to the victims of crime as they wait for help from the police.

Mr Terenzini also says that as a former public prosecutor , he was aware of how hard-working and dedicated local police officers are. That has never been in dispute.

All the Thornton community wants is for the powers that be in this city to listen to their plight with an open mind and not “window-dress” what is obviously a serious problem in their neighbourhood.