Commentators are comparing Melbourne to a prohibition-era city following a surge in gang activity, drug trade issues, and arson attacks [1, 2].
This comparison highlights a growing concern over public safety and the perceived inability of authorities to curb organized crime in the Victorian capital. The trend suggests a shift toward more aggressive, systemic criminality that disrupts urban stability.
Tim Blair, a columnist for The Daily Telegraph, said the current environment feels like living in the 1920s instead of the 2020s [1]. He said the city is seeing a rise in gangsters, alcohol wars, and drug-related problems [1].
Blair pointed to a series of mysterious fires involving electric vehicles as part of this chaotic atmosphere [1]. He said the situation resembles the prohibition days, where illicit trades and violent disputes were common [1].
Other observers have noted that while the atmosphere is similar to the past, the methods have evolved. Andrew Rule of the Herald Sun said that old-time gangsters would be bemused by the tactics used by the new-wave bootleggers and bombers involved in the recent arson attacks [2].
The wave of arson and gang-related crime has created a perception of a city losing control [1, 2]. These incidents include both targeted attacks, and broader disputes linked to the illegal drug and alcohol trades [1, 2].
Local commentary suggests that the convergence of these factors — from EV fires to organized gang violence — marks a new phase of instability for Melbourne [1, 2].
““It’s like living in the 1920s instead of the 2020s.””
The comparison to the prohibition era suggests that Melbourne is experiencing a transition from isolated criminal incidents to a more systemic form of organized crime. By linking modern phenomena like EV fires with traditional gang warfare, commentators are arguing that the city is facing a multifaceted security crisis that mirrors historical periods of institutional failure and illicit market dominance.
