Local resident Don Rei, who lives along Power Street and is an alumni of Doonside Technology High School near Crawford Public School, described coming home to a scene of street closures, helicopters, and a heavy police presence following a fatal stabbing at a bus stop outside the school. Rei mentioned long-standing animosity between residents of Blacktown and Mount Druitt suburbs, but during his time, the rivalry was focused on competition between rugby league teams. He highlighted truancy as a major issue in the area, with children riding bikes during school hours, and noted that most houses had been burgled, leading residents to install security measures like cameras and dogs.
Expressing concern about the escalating violence, a neighbor who preferred anonymity admitted to contemplating a move, especially out of worry for his nephews. Police are investigating the possibility that the teenagers involved in the stabbing had been part of an altercation on a bus prior to the incident, with a potential connection to the ongoing “postcode wars” involving rival teenagers from neighboring suburbs. The recent stabbing follows the murder of local teenager Uati Faletolu at the 2022 Easter Show, allegedly by teenagers from a rival gang. The incident led to charges against two 18-year-olds and a 14-year-old who allegedly caused Faletolu’s fatal wounds.
There are suspicions that Faletolu may have been associated with the Doonside gang known as “67”, referencing the suburb’s postcode 2767, and that the stabbing may have been linked to the long-standing rivalry with the Mt Druitt gang RFA (“ready for anything”). References to Faletolu’s death have appeared in music posted on TikTok, with lyrics and imagery alluding to the conflict between the two groups. Despite the tensions, rap group Onefour from Mt Druitt denies any connection to RFA and emphasizes that their lyrics should not be taken literally. Police have intervened to shut down Onefour’s tours to prevent any potential incitement to violence.
Statistically, assault and robbery offenses involving knives have been decreasing over the past two decades according to data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Out of 208 non-domestic assaults with a knife in NSW last year, 37 of the accused were under the age of 18. The community remains on edge following the recent violent incidents, with residents, like Don Rei, calling for stricter values in education to address the issue of children bringing knives to school. The overall sentiment is one of concern and shock over the violence that has occurred in the area, with many residents feeling the need to take extra security measures to protect themselves and their families.
In response to the violence and tensions between rival gang members, police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing and any potential connections to prior conflicts or altercations. The community is bracing for potential further incidents as police work to diffuse the situation between the warring factions. While concerns remain high, efforts are being made to address the root causes of the violence and prevent further tragedies from occurring in the area. The ongoing investigations and responses from law enforcement and community members alike indicate a shared desire for peace and safety in the neighborhood.
