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Bikies know who shot Gold Coast HQ
BY: Jessica Johnston and Sue Lappeman
Source: goldcoast.com.au
Australia - IT is likely the Bandidos know who fired shots from a
high-powered weapon into the gang's Mermaid Beach clubhouse on
Wednesday.
At least seven private CCTV cameras are mounted outside the gang's
headquarters on Cronulla Avenue.
But neighbours believe the gang will not give the footage to police
and Commissioner Bob Atkinson is worried about the 'potentiality for
revenge and escalation'.
Six bullets, believed to be from a high-powered weapon, were shot
through heavily steel-plated front windows about 4am on Wednesday.
Three security cameras are mounted above the front entrance beside
the shot-out window covering, with floodlights ensuring images can
be recorded 24 hours a day.
Two cameras monitor activity on Cronulla Ave, while the other
focuses directly across the street.
The original police report made no mention of security vision and
some believe it is unlikely club members would volunteer the
footage.
One local business owner, who asked not to be named, said the CCTV
cameras had kept watch over the clubhouse door for the six years he
had been in the street.
"I don't think they would hand them over for free," he said.
Regional Duty Officer Inspector Geoff Palmer last night said police
could seize private security vision if was pertinent to an
investigation.
"If someone gets issued a court warrant to obtain the vision, that
person has got an obligation to hand it over," he said.
While Gold Coast police said they were 'hopeful' the incident would
not spark a revenge attack, Mr Atkinson, admitted he was worried.
"There has been no escalation of retribution that we're aware of at
this stage but anything involving violence with outlaw motorcycle
clubs always concerns me in terms of the potentiality for revenge
and escalation," he said.
"We're very mindful that we are doing all we can to be across that
and prevent that happening."
Queensland Attorney-General Cameron Dick yesterday revealed police
had been unable to use tough anti-bikie laws passed through State
Parliament six months ago due to government administrative delays.
The new laws give police power to secretly apply to the court to
have bikie gangs declared criminal organisations so control orders
can then be issued against their members.
But the Criminal Organisation Public Interest Monitor, who must
attend closed hearings for applications to ensure police do the
right thing, has not yet been appointed.
An appointment is expected to be announced within weeks.
It is believed police will have several briefs ready with
applications when the COPIM is appointed.