September 3, 2010
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Neighbours of a repeat rapist released this week to live in Bunbury have had panic buttons installed in their homes by police in response to fears he will reoffend.
Darren Morton Hart was let out of Casuarina Prison on Wednesday to live with a sister in Carey Park after spending 13 years in jail for raping a woman in a South-West town.
Supreme Court Justice John McKechnie granted his release on a strict supervision order.
Police gave duress alarms to at least two residents near where Hart will live, while the Department of Housing has also reinforced security at neighbouring homes.
One neighbour, a single mother, said police had provided her with a duress alarm last week.
She said the alarm could be moved from room to room and would send out a call for immediate police assistance.
The woman said she was looking to move from the area and had felt helpless when she learnt that Hart, 40, would live nearby.
WA Police Insp. Bill Munnee would not be drawn yesterday on whether police had provided duress alarms but said they were committed to ensuring the public's safety.
Fears were growing last night of vigilante action against Hart, who has a history of increasingly violent rapes, after flyers were distributed in the area warning of a "released rapist".
Hart's family have urged the community to allow their brother to get on with his life. They were certain he would not reoffend.
Hart was sentenced to 16 years jail in 1997 for raping a woman nine times in an attack that left her injured and bleeding. He finished his sentence three years ago but had been held in custody indefinitely under the State's dangerous sex offender laws. Bunbury Sen. Sgt Mike Peters warned residents that any vigilante action would not be tolerated.
He said police, along with other agencies, were enforcing the conditions of Hart's release. He said any suggestion police did not have enough resources was unfounded.
"Police have not seen any vigilante-type flyers and we strongly urge community members not to go down that path," Sen. Sgt Peters said.
The Department of Corrective Services told the community yesterday that a supervision order with strict conditions was in place and Hart would be closely monitored. Justice McKechnie ordered Hart to be subject to a strict curfew, undergo counselling and use anti-libidinal medication.
The Department of Housing said it had taken every possible measure to improve the security of neighbouring properties.
Police Minister Rob Johnson said he expected police to be on heightened alert. "I'm sure they will be monitoring what he does and where he goes and any conditions that may be attached to his release," he said.
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This is the panic alarm the government wants the neighbours of a convicted rapist to use in case the man "who has a history of increasingly violent rapes" pays a visit.
Here's the Panic alarm that is allowed in states that are more pragmatic about personal safety (some states in the USA - note that it is only in SOME states - not all)
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UPDATE
Pressure is building on the State Government to shift a dangerous sex offender released to live with his sister in Bunbury, as fears rise over community safety and vigilante action.
The Department of Housing is searching for new accommodation for Darren Morton Hart, who was released from Casuarina prison this week after serving 13 years for raping a woman nine times.
Neighbours, some of whom were provided with duress alarms by police, have said they are concerned for their safety and want Hart moved, while others were looking to leave the Bunbury suburb of Carey Park.
Supreme Court Justice John McKechnie ordered Hart's location to be kept secret, but flyers have been circulated throughout the suburb, which warn of a "released rapist" and give his address.
Labor South-West MLC Adele Farina said the Government needed to consider moving Hart. "The Government must have a look at the situation to consider everyone's safety," she said. Ms Farina said a number of residents had contacted her about their fears over safety and she was concerned about the strain on police resources. She was also concerned for the welfare of Hart's sister.
Bunbury MLA John Castrilli said he was deeply concerned a dangerous sex offender was living in the area and had raised his concerns with Attorney-General Christian Porter.
"In this case, the court decided not to keep the offender in prison indefinitely and that is a disappointing result, but one the Government must deal with, which we are doing by keeping him under very strict supervision," Mr Castrilli said.
South-West Police Supt Lawrence Panaia warned the community against vigilante action. He said the community needed reassurance that Hart was under close watch.
Premier Colin Barnett said proposed sex offender register legislation should be introduced into Parliament this year, but conceded there was nothing the Government could do to prevent rapists such as Hart being released to live in the community.
He understood why people were concerned. "It is a perennial problem dealing with offenders, sex offenders or paedophiles and when they've served their sentences they are free, and to try and manage that in the community is very, very difficult," he said.
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My opinion - It seems like next door to a Judge, Politician or a Do-Gooder would be the best place for this convicted rapist. Actually my preference would be right next door to a gun control advocate.
