THEY have had months of broken windows, smashed fences, abusive language and threats of violence.
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And now residents of Rocherlea have had enough.
``It's what I imagine hell to be like,'' one distressed resident said.
Residents say the northern suburb's social problems are being ignored and pleas for help have gone unanswered.
One resident, who asked not to be named for fear of retribution, described the apparent arson attack that burnt down the Rocherlea shop on Monday night as the last straw.
Police are still investigating the fire.
``I am terrified,'' she said.
``No one who doesn't live here can properly understand the fear that you feel.
``How can a community let a place get like this?''
Some residents determined to bring change started a parliamentary petition yesterday to try to get government help to clean up the suburb.
They are calling for speed humps down Blackwood Drive, CCTV cameras on the street and a reduction in the number of Housing Tasmania-owned properties in the area.
Bass Liberal MHA Michael Ferguson is sponsoring the petition.
Mr Ferguson said it he hoped it would draw attention to the anti-social behaviour, hooning, and vandalism complained of by residents.
``But there's no doubt that we need the local residents to take some responsibility for what's happening in their front yard, and ensure that when they see things happening that they call the police,'' Mr Ferguson said.
The petition is available online and will be circulated in Rocherlea.