Parramatta Lord Mayor Lorraine Wearne has called for police to be more vigilant in the city centre after the stabbing murder of 22-year-old Patrick Crowe.
Councillor Wearne defended against criticism that the city was not safe after dark, but said police could have a stronger presence.
‘‘It scares me that there is barely a police presence on the south side of the railway line,’’ Cr Wearne said.
‘‘We occasionally see police in Church Street Mall but not often.’’
Cr Wearne said railway stations and bus stops were known hot spots for crime in any city and police should do more to make those in Parramatta’s safer.
The lord mayor said she did not personally feel threatened in the city centre at night but said the level of danger increased for anyone out after midnight.
‘‘I don’t feel threatened in Parramatta; I never feel anything other than safe,’’ she said.
‘‘But I do think at 2am any group of young people is threatening.’’
Parramatta Superintendent Robert Redfern his officers did target those locations and would continue to do so.
‘‘We work closely with council over some years to make sure there is an active police presence in the mall and the transport interchange.
‘‘We work with the new police transport command in terms of resources in those areas and they are areas they receive police presence and will continue to receive police presence.
‘‘I think anybody in this city, the city of Parramatta, should be able to go out at night and be safe.’’