The issue of safely shopping in the Lismore CBD has lifted its profile again, as a Lismore councillor and a shop owner shared their experience on social media, which was met by a plethora of comments.

Lismore City Councillor Harper Dalton-Earls posted:

This morning I walked my dog around the CBD for the first time in a while. For many years, it was part of my daily routine - back then, the streets were alive with walking groups, runners, people with their dogs and shop doors open early. Now it feels more unsafe and unclean than ever, with dog poo lining the streets and yelling echoing the walls.

This morning, within five minutes, I was shouted at by someone in obvious mental distress. I saw unattended dogs and an atmosphere that felt unsafe and unhygienic.

Yesterday, I read Mel's Melting Moments Soy Candles share that she has suffered abuse in her shop and is now considering closing. I want to say I stand with Mel and with every business owner, worker and visitor who has experienced this

People experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges should never be demonised. But we must be honest that the safety of those who keep the CBD alive our business owners, employees, shoppers and residents has to be a priority.

I have raised this before in Council, and I will keep doing so. We need foot patrol rangers back. They may not arrest, but they offer passive surveillance, can call police early and often prevent situations from escalating. We need the PACER model here, with police and mental health professionals responding together. And we need an assertive homelessness outreach program like Byron Bay’s, meeting people where they are and connecting them to support.

Lismore’s CBD should be a place where everyone feels safe to work, shop and spend time. I back Mel and will do what I can to support her in her campaign to make the CBD safer for all. Something has to change, and now, before it’s too late and we lose what makes our CBD special - the people there.

Councillor Dalton-Earls reference to Mel Connell's Mel's Melting Moments shop on Keen Street, was taken from a recent post on her Facebook page:

Dear Ms. Saffin, Mr. Hogan, Mayor of Lismore, Lismore City Council, Councilors, and Lismore Representatives,

On 12 August 2025, I was threatened with my life while operating my small business and asking a mentally disturbed person to move from my entry. This is not isolated—it’s part of ongoing abuse and dangerous interactions with drug-affected or mentally unwell individuals in the CBD. I will be pressing charges and an AVO will be instated.

I urge you to view my latest Facebook post, which contains video of the abuse and comments from locals explaining why they avoid the CBD. Or better yet, walk the four streets yourself. The reality is confronting and unacceptable for any city representative.

Ms. Saffin, as Minister for Small Business, I ask for urgent help. Visitors are told to “Visit Lismore,” yet they are met with dog feces, verbal abuse, urine-soaked paths, litter, cigarette smoke blown in children’s faces, unmonitored parking, growing smoke shops, and public altercations. I want my shop to remain a safe, happy space—but the streets are unsafe and this danger is creeping inside.

We need visible, regular police foot patrols or security beats now—before more businesses and residents leave. I wrote to you on 24 March 2025 about this escalating crisis. Nothing has improved; it has worsened. This is not just about my store’s survival—it’s about Lismore’s future.

We understand funding is being sought for security patrols, but we cannot wait months for red tape. The threat is immediate. I was threatened today. Every day without action increases the risk to staff, patrons, and visitors.

We request immediate interim measures until long-term funding is secured—whether through temporary police deployment, redeployment of existing security, or a short-term emergency safety initiative. We need action on the ground now.

Please act decisively before more serious harm occurs. I welcome urgent discussion on solutions.

There were 79 comments from the public about safety in the Lismore CBD. Typical was this comment by Jane Wood:

"I was downtown about 6 weeks ago in the middle of the day, and there was so much aggression and loud yelling and public drunkenness that I rethink going down there again.

"I live out of town and used to love visiting once or twice a week. Now I am considering getting groceries delivered and doing most of my shopping online…like covid days.

"I love Lismore, but am feeling very uncomfortable visiting. I am sure that somebody will preach that I have to support the businesses and I have. But, for somebody who is just, finally coming out of, the mental and physical hell of rebuilding my life and property, I don’t want to be abused and scared when I should be relaxed and happy shopping."

The Lismore App reached out to Commander of the Richmond Police District Dave Roptell, who said, "Three months ago, we conducted a high visibility operation in the Lismore CBD over a two-day period, focusing on knife crime, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

"We then continue our focus in the CBD for weeks following. We are also endeavouring in the next couple of weeks to focus on the same type of operation in the Lismore CBD." 

Commander Roptell's advice to shop staff is to report any crime immediately.

"Call us immediately because we do take addressing anti-social behaviour and people's safety in the community seriously. The more information that we get from the community, the better we can police. We obviously cannot do it alone, but we always ask the community for assistance if they have vital information they can pass on to us."

(Police on the Lismore CBD during Operation Rapina at the end of May this year. Photo: LCC)

A spokesperson for Lismore City Council told the Lismore App, "Council is aware of the concern regarding crime and has been proactive in addressing safety in the CBD. While policing and law enforcement are State Government responsibilities, Council has taken productive steps to support and work alongside NSW Police and other agencies to improve community safety.

"On 25 March this year, Council resolved to write to NSW Police requesting a targeted enforcement blitz, to seek grant funding and budget allocations for initiatives that improve safety, and to ask NSW Police to consider developing a community policing strategy for the CBD and surrounding areas.

"Since May, NSW Police have been working with Council, conducting High Visibility and Compliance operations aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour and crime in the CBD and surrounding transport interchanges.

"Council also resolved to hold an open public consultation session to identify solutions to local crime concerns. This will involve State and Federal MPs, police, ambulance and hospital representatives, local security firms and other stakeholders. Council is currently working to schedule this session soon.

"Council will continue to work with the relevant stakeholders, such as police and state representatives, to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour."