THESE days, everyone in Tennant Creek, at the very least, is friends with someone who has been affected by the out-of-control behaviours happening in town.

This is more than just a bit of humbug for smoke or money; this is threats, broken windows, break-ins and any other types of incidents, and although it could – and does – happen to anyone, the more vulnerable community members are especially at risk.

If you watch the news, you see that Tennant is not the only place with these sorts of problems, but we see the problems here up close and personal all too often.

People who spend their free time working to help the community are suffering multiple break ins or smashed windows, the disabled being attacked and robbed, seniors having their groceries stolen, businesses and community organisations being vandalised or stolen from with seeming impunity.

For the most part, the perpetrators know that they have few, if any, consequences for their acts, and for some, they wear their ankle bracelets with pride instead of shame.

Some people are torn between two alternatives, go out and risk becoming a statistic or stay home to guard against smashed windows. 

Our disabled and senior community members are being attacked and robbed, and seniors on a pension are having their groceries stolen when they can ill afford them.

Too many people in town are scared, getting hurt and stressed and feeling abandoned by a government who wants to forget that Tennant Creek exists.

The actions of the perpetrators and the inaction of the government will slowly and painfully kill our town, leaving it like a that town from an old Western movie. 

People who have lived here for years will leave, and businesses will give up, unable to endure the sustained losses. 

It is well past time for the town to ask why we are being ignored and what will be done so that those who choose to make this town their home can live in a reasonable level of safety.

TENNANT CREEK EXISTS; WE VOTE; DO NOT ABANDON US!