STATE OF CAPO STRIP DRAWS FIERY RESPONSES

HUNDREDS of StreetWise readers have spoken (posted). The Cappuccino Strip needs a serious spray and wipe.
StreetWise’s two-part report on the state of the iconic strip has attracted more than 260 comments since part two, ‘Freo on the menu?’, was published yesterday, the post having reached more than 53,000 people.
Part one, ‘Freo’s iconic cafe strip loses shine’, published on April 19, reached nearly 17,000 people and attracted 173 comments.
And the posts continue to pile up.
“What a shit hole it’s become and an embarrassment to international visitors! Too many crack heads and local ferals pissing wherever they want and fighting amongst themselves to make Freo the disgrace it now is! Clean it up asap.” – Simon Scu.
“The result of socialists running the place for years. Junkies, derros, deadshits bumming smokes and the homeless have ruined it. It’ll be next on the shit towns list of Australia.” – Derek Hall.
“It’s sad to see so many of the iconic businesses gone in Freo. Lost … Bousfields Menswear, Warrens, Bodkins Bootery, Mexican Kitchen and now I see the map shop is gone. Miss the Freo I knew from 1986 when I arrived. It was definitely a cool place back in the day.” – John Noonan.
“So sad, it’s in such disrepair, the buildings, the vibe, the smell! Do not feel safe walking the streets with kids. The homeless. The dirt, vandalism … gross. The rent is too high for potential retailers. If you put nothing in, Freo council, you’ll continue to drown in your own sorrow.” – Joana Poznanovic.
“Lol there’s nothing left in Freo to venture into these days mate, it’s a dump with empty shops and too many new pubs. Nothing original or unique anymore.” – Rhona Finnigan.
“Maybe some of you that have been around a while might know some of the long term owners, who still own massive parts of Fremantle. If so perhaps tell them to stop being so greedy with rent, on beautiful heritage buildings that they haven’t even looked after, or maybe just sell, then there wouldn’t be so many empty shops, cafe’s and restaurants! They along with council are to blame!” – Victoria Jackson.
“Fremantle council has spent over a million dollars on public toilets but some people still use shop entrances and the streets as a toilet. Filthy! They just don’t care.” – Lee Miller.
“Most mornings I see them high pressure washing the footpaths, but you can’t clean dirty Grey, concrete slab tiles and dull colour surroundings. Fremantle is a dump. Nothing like it used to be.” – Ian Thompson.
“Would rather drive all the way up to Leederville for the street cafe vibe.” – Ron Sandy Hoddy.
“The footpaths are abominable trip hazards everywhere and the Gibb River Road is smoother than the Capo strip!”
“Well they used to pressure wash the whole joint in the early morning regularly. Now it’s just a dump. A shell of itself full of homeless junkies.” – Jonathon Paul Corbo.
“Anyone actually been to Freo lately? It’s a ghost town during the week.. only activity is homeless folk on every corner, drinking in the mall, yelling at each other and drug dealing in plain site.” – Suzie Elliott.
“Fremantle residents voted for these socialists lefties who created the mess. No else to blame but themselves.” – Geoff Barro.
“It has been like this for years, 20 plus. Embarrassed to show visitors around, try to avoid the place.” – Lorraine MacDonald.
“We used to go there all the time but nowadays there’s no parking and it’s a load of shit it’s just going back before the American cup.” – Steven Phillips.
“We used to go maybe 4 times a year. Now rarely visit, dirty and unappealing. What a shame as it’s got so much potential.” – John Ali.
“Any place run by commies who only virtue signal and have no ideas have this happen. It’s a shame.” – Celeste Eden.
Mayor Ben Lawver today posted a video of real estate agent John Alberti hosing down the pavement on William Street: “This is how we make a better city. It doesn’t take much. If everyone does a little, it has an enormous impact. Picking up a piece of litter and taking it to a bin. Cleaning out front of your shop. Calling out bad behaviour. Volunteering with a local group. Pull a few weeds at your local park. The city administration is stepping up and doing more, but we can’t do it all alone.”
In response, Johnny Blair asked: “Don’t you have staff for that?”
Ann Elizabeth: “Hosing down concrete is an historical part of Freo culture. Love it. I’ll have a shorter shower.”
Preston Bill Marsh: “Yeah right so hosing concrete is good now? I thought we didn’t have enough water for that.”