Name and address withheld by request.
He may go by the name ‘Alfie’. He has been walking and muttering to himself, along the roads in Byron Shire for years. Not to be confused with Shanti, whose colourful couture can be seen from outer space, Alfie wears black garbage bags.
It doesn’t take a medico to know that Alfie has mental problems.
Last Saturday night I nearly collected Alfie. Given the virulent breeding of potholes, I found myself driving towards the centre of the road as opposed to sitting in the middle of the vehicular lane. I certainly wasn’t speeding when out of nowhere the headlights caught Alfie leaning into the roadway. He was in black and only for the outline and movement of his body was I able to realise it was ‘that man’.
I phoned the police only to find out that, not only is he well known to them, but a number of people have phoned to advise of the pending danger of Alfie’s behaviour. The purpose of my phone call was to have on their ‘system’ information that Alfie’s behaviour puts him and anyone who collects him at risk. Their response was that without whatever the necessary evidence is to have Alfie scheduled, all they can do is ask him not to walk on the road.
Given what is at stake, say a manslaughter charge for an unsuspecting driver, death and/ or permanent injuries and all the stress/ angst/ financial costs that goes with an accident and court proceedings, the response from the police has been presented as though their hands are tied.
So, if you see Alfie putting himself at danger, and indeed putting a driver in danger, please ring the police. Perhaps, in response to the numbers who call, Alfie’s needs may get addressed and someone may not have to face criminal charges?
The world is full of them. Do-gooders who want to say and police what others may do or may not do when the future can not be foretold.
How typical of the NIMBY folk around here to write such a letter. His name is Walter and he don’t care what you do so you should not care what he does. Mental problems??? 90% of the Byron Shire all appear to have mental problems with our Mayor leading the pack. How about, name and address withheld, you write another letter to Simon and leave our mate alone.
Agree Bernard;
Byron Bay is the largest lunatic asylum,without a wall, in Australia…
Alfred ,started this on Huonbrook Road over twenty,even more years ago , such a narrow windy road yes we all had the same thoughts as you ,so many near misses of him and cars coming the opposite way, yes we rang the police also …….but there he still is…….he use to own a push bike but he was hit it still didn’t deter him…..the police said there’s no law against walking on the road ,but they are well aware of what a nuisance he is ,he does have family in this area but just like the police they can not do a thing to deter him ………my observation is he has a death wish but it’s the poor unsuspecting person that will suffer BUT he is well known for doing this by police and locals,I’ve always had my fingers crossed it won’t be me ,as many must have the same thought