When the media spotlight fades, traders fear violence will reign again

It’s almost lunchtime on Sunshine’s bustling Hampshire Street, but Hong Hung Asian Grocery remains closed behind a roller door.

Above the bunches of flowers that have been laid along the red shutter is a sheet of paper with a scrawled message: “No more bail for killers.”

These handwritten words come at a time of intense grieving for this remarkably interconnected shopping precinct.

Van Viet Truong, the long-time owner of this store, died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Four days earlier, he was allegedly attacked by five teenagers on Hampshire Street after he intervened to try to stop them stealing clothing from a nearby business.

Sunshine Business Association president Vu Du said that the events of the past week had taken a toll on local traders. “They’re angry and they’re sad, and they want to see change,” he said.

With the inner-west shopping strip thrust into a statewide spotlight, many traders are asking for measures that will better support their community.

Politicians from all levels of government have paid visits to the suburb during last week.

On Wednesday afternoon, Laverton MP Sarah Connolly, federal member for Fraser Daniel Mulino and new Police Minister Paul Edbrooke met with 25 traders inside a local restaurant.

On Thursday, freshly appointed Premier Ben Carroll also spoke with local traders, and later met with representatives from Brimbank Council.

Du said that members of his committee were feeling “relatively positive” after their discussions with politicians and local councillors.

“I’m hopeful. I just hope that after the turn of events, that it just doesn’t go back to another day in Sunshine,” he said.

Away from discussions about policy, the tragic death of Truong has had a heavy impact on the local business community, which the grocery store owner had been a part of for decades.

Three of the children police say were involved in the incident have been granted bail, and one teenager was remanded after his charges were upgraded to include manslaughter.

Police flagged on Thursday that the fifth teen would have his charges dropped as further investigation exonerated him.

Irene Tran, who works at Vietnamese restaurant Moc’s Kitchen, described Sunshine as a tight-knit suburb where locals are eager to help each other.

She said this was particularly true of the Vietnamese community. Customers are known for their loyalty to a business – especially if its food is good– and suppliers will even bring extra stock if the restaurant runs out early.

“It’s very connected … they’re willing to help you … they will support you,” Tran said.

It is this inherent sense of neighbourliness that likely led Truong to rush to the aid of his fellow business owner last Saturday, Tran said.

She and her colleagues are all aware of the incident, which happened just 400 metres down the road from their restaurant. Tran remembered the grocery store owner as a kind man.

“He was very friendly … I feel bad about him. I hear that when someone is in trouble, [other traders] will help you. He was just like that. He just wanted to help the shop next to him.”

Tran said that Sunshine could be a dangerous place, particularly after dark. Moc’s Kitchen has been open for only a year, and they’ve already had to deal with people stealing from the cash register and breaking into the kitchen.

“But it’s getting better now. Because we’re connecting firmly with the neighbours,” she said. “When something happens, I run to the coffee shop nearby and ask for help.”

The issue of local crime is what prompted five mayors from Melbourne’s western suburbs to hold a press conference in a quiet upstairs room of the Sunshine library last Wednesday.

The councillors are advocating for an urgent increase to the number of police officers in the west – both on the street and in local stations.

Maribyrnong Mayor Mohamed Semra described how he and two council colleagues had been approached by a man holding a knife in Nicholson Street Mall in Footscray just hours before.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said that a man with a kitchen knife had been arrested in response to the incident. He was later issued with an infringement notice.

“It was a very frightening situation for those involved,” Semra said. “Thankfully, our police were quick to respond. But if you needed any evidence that we need more police in our streets, this is it.

“We want children to feel safe walking home … traders to close their shops without fear, and visitors to talk about the energy and culture of Melbourne’s west, not the latest crime headline,” he said.

Brimbank Mayor Virginia Tachos echoed these calls for increased funding. She told The Age that the council was calling for more officers because crime needed to be combated by Victoria Police.

“We’re doing what we can as a council, in terms of having our own security and having compliance officers … However, we don’t have the resources to deal with the criminal element. Nor is it our responsibility,” Tachos said.

“[Staff] are facing day-to-day violence, and the staff are too afraid to come to work … that creates a really horrible environment, and we want that to change.”

Victoria Police acting commander Troy Papworth said the force was aware of the concerns around policing resources expressed by the group of mayors. He said that there were currently extra patrols operating in Sunshine and Footscray, including at night.

“We as police feel those concerns, too. We are part of the community; as much a part of the community as residents, traders, and people who are in the council,” Papworth said.

For many traders, an increase in police patrols is only one part of a broader problem. Vu Du, the president of the Sunshine Business Association, said a group of Sunshine traders had compiled a list of recommendations, which they presented to Brimbank Council on Friday.

Some of the suggestions included a redesign of public spaces, a review of parking restrictions and an upgrade to security infrastructure.

Business owner Benyam Mokoenen agrees that something needs to change. The owner of Ahadu Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe praised Sunshine for its multiculturalism and friendly trader community, but is frustrated with the high level of crime in the area.

The front window of Mokoenen’s store was recently broken following a dispute on the street outside.

In January, he witnessed locals being forced to de-escalate an incident where a young person was holding a machete.

“It’s not good for the business. Who’s going to come? … People are going to be scared,” Mokoenen said.

“When something happens like this, [council and state government] have to help. You have to support us. Otherwise … that’s it.”

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