Community help needed to combat vandalism

TWEED Shire Council is asking the community for help to combat the increasing graffiti and vandalism in the shire.

The recently refurbished Jack Evans Boat Harbour at Tweed Heads, with $2.6 million in improvements, was recently targeted. Walls, seating areas, skating areas and commissioned artworks were graffitied and damaged just weeks after the recently upgraded swimming area at the park was officially opened.

The Knox Park skate park in Murwillumbah is also experiencing an up tick in damage with increased tagging over skating areas and signage.

Council’s Director of Sustainable Communities and Environment Naomi Searle said she was devastated by the recent spate of graffiti vandalism just as the community embraced new facilities.

“Council has worked tirelessly over recent years to upgrade this vital recreational area to make it more enjoyable for the community,” Searle said.

“To see it vandalised in this way is not only a waste of ratepayers’ money but also makes the area unsightly and unwelcoming.

“Graffiti vandalism is a crime. Estimating the true cost of graffiti vandalism is difficult because many people do not report it.

“The Council spent over $115,000 on graffiti clean-up in our parks and open spaces in the last financial year alone. This money could be better spent on upgrading parks, community and leisure facilities.

“We are working closely with our local police district to ramp up surveillance efforts to deter offenders, and we have established a dedicated graffiti team to address issues as they arise, but we need the community to support us by reporting graffiti when they see it,” she said.

Local police, council staff and community representatives will undertake a comprehensive Community Safety Audit in the Tweed Heads CBD and at Jack Evans Boat Harbour in the coming weeks to identify areas that may incite fear or present criminal opportunities.

The Council will remove offensive graffiti immediately from Council-owned and managed assets. Non-offensive graffiti is removed as part of a scheduled maintenance program.

To report offensive graffiti, contact the Council on 02 6670 2400 or online at tweed.nsw.gov.au/report-graffiti

To report graffiti or vandalism as it happens call 000 or through the BluLink on police.nsw.gov.au/safety_and_prevention/policing_in_the_community/blulink