Thinking about how it feels to take her six-year-old son Oliver to Beaumont Street brings Tammy Mazzoni to tears.
The James Street resident has lived in Hamilton for 17 years. She's had her motorbike stolen, she and her son have been threatened on the street. She had to take out an apprehended violence order.
After months of campaigning for CCTV on Beaumont Street, hearing that a grant to cover half the costs had been denied was a devastating blow.
"My son is nearly six, he should be able to walk to school, I should be able to walk him to school and not feel like we're going to be hit," Ms Mazzoni said.
"He's scared, he's so scared. He's even scared when the police come around because he knows that means something has gone wrong."
Residents and businesses have been pushing for CCTV cameras to be installed on Beaumont Street after enduring months of antisocial behaviour, violence and abuse.
Many gathered in front of the post office on Wednesday, frustrated with what they say is a lack of action.
City of Newcastle and the Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) agreed to fund the CCTV initiative on the proviso the state government cover half the costs.
The $214,000 project would require a $100,000 buy-in from the state government. Almost five months after the grant application was made, Liberal councillor Jenny Barrie said she was told there was "no funding for CCTV".
Cr Barrie has accused Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp of "abandoning" Hamilton residents and business owners.
On Wednesday morning, Ms Mazzoni made a public plea to the MP.
"Please make our community safe so that we can be enjoying our community so much more," Ms Mazzoni said.
"Come and spend a day here, be abused and be hit in the head, or bring your kids out here and see how much you like it.
"Have the street services on his doorstep and see how he likes it until three in the morning, I don't think he would like it."
Mr Crakanthorp told the Newcastle Herald he met with government on Wednesday to discuss CCTV and will be meeting with various ministers to investigate appropriate funding streams to deliver CCTV for Beaumont Street.
Mr Crakanthorp said he supported the BIA's application and would be happy to support any future grant funding applications.
Churchills Carpet Court owner Paul Murphy said he's fed up with politicians walking up and down the street. He wants to see real action and results.
"If you did this in Sydney, something would happen overnight. We get nothing in Newcastle," Mr Murphy said.
"We're getting people that are going to the toilet in the back streets.
"We shouldn't have to wait until March or an election to get an answer to the problem. We've been waiting five or six months, we'd like it fixed now. We'd like it done before Christmas."
