Parking officers in Launceston are being subjected to random acts of abuse and aggression, with most incidents occurring without any enforcement interaction.
According to the Launceston City Council, officers have reported at least 127 incidents of threats, abuse and aggression in the past 12 months.
The council describes these figures as “conservative”, suggesting the actual number of incidents could be higher.
Of the documented cases, 65 occurred in the CBD, while 18 took place during patrols in the city’s outskirts and nine in the northern zones.
“Alarmingly, much of this abuse is not linked to compliance-related interactions but is random and unprovoked,” the council noted in its February meeting agenda.
“Officers are frequently subjected to shouted insults, personal attacks and degrading remarks, often from random passers-by or individuals in moving vehicles with no direct engagement.”
The hostile behaviour includes drivers deliberately veering vehicles toward officers, issuing death threats, committing physical assaults, throwing objects and making threats involving concealed weapons.
The council called the “consistent hostility” unacceptable and said no one should be subjected to abuse, intimidation or violence “for simply performing their duties”.
All relevant incidents are reported to Tasmania Police and officers who face repeated hostility in certain “volatile locations” moved to alternative areas.
“The City of Launceston expects all members of the public to conduct themselves with decency and respect,” the council said.
