Stabbing reignites housing tower safety concerns

A stabbing at the Carlton housing towers in early October has reignited residents’ security concerns.

Resident Cory Memery said a man was stabbed after an altercation on October 11 at the 495 Cardigan St tower.

“It was the same culprit and the same victim as the stabbing a month ago,” Mr Memery said.

“It’s not good, this time he ended up in the ICU and was operated on at the Royal Melbourne.”

“It’s really scary for the residents.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson said the incident was being investigated.

“It’s understood a verbal altercation took place between two men outside an apartment complex on Cardigan St about 3.40pm,” the spokesperson said.

“A 53-year-old man was stabbed during the incident and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”

“The male offender took off and remains outstanding at this stage.”

Resident David Biskupski was on the scene after the incident and called an ambulance.

“I was sitting down with a friend and heard someone yelling out some swear words,” Mr Biskupski said.

“We got up and had a look outside and there was someone standing there bleeding who had been stabbed in the back.”

“We threw a towel down to him and called an ambulance.”

Mr Biskupski said police and Homes Victoria hadn’t removed the culprit from the premises after the previous incident.

“Last month he stabbed him with a box cutter, and nothing has been done, police haven’t taken care of it and no-one from housing has either,” he said.

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said he was “really concerned” about the lack of security in the Cardigan St buildings.

“This is the third time that I’ve seen a stabbing since Christmas,” he said.

“There could have been more that I’m not aware of and it’s not good for children that are going to be there and potentially see this.”

The resident said that there were “no security guards” patrolling the units or screen doors on the apartments for added protection.

“On these particular units, there’s no security doors so if someone knocks on your door, you open it and they can come right in,” he said.

“Something has to happen; we’ve had three stabbings and the next one might be a fatality.”

The investigation remains ongoing, any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 •