By Laura Michell
CCTV cameras should be installed at sports grounds across Hume to prevent frequent vandalism by “thugs”, one councillor has claimed.
Cr Joseph Haweil has asked the council to investigate the benefits of installing security cameras at recreation reserves in response to a recent spate of vandalism.
Earlier this month, a number of sports grounds including Highgate Recreation Reserve and Aston Fields in Craigieburn, Lakeside Drive in Roxburgh Park and the Greenvale Recreation Reserve were targeted by vandals.
Fences were knocked down, ovals churned up and mud splattered on buildings during what the council labelled “appalling acts of vandalism”.
The council said the vandalism has been reported to police.
Cr Haweil said installing CCTV cameras at sports grounds would help protect council assets from vandalism and graffiti and assist police in apprehending offenders.
“I am fully aware that CCTV doesn’t come cheap, but neither does the ongoing replacement of infrastructure at so many facilities,” he said.
“Like so many of our city’s residents … I have been dismayed and disgusted at the spate of vandalism and destruction that thugs have wrought across some of our city’s great sporting and recreational facilities.”
Cr Haweil said the frequent destruction of sports grounds by vandals was putting the community at a disadvantage.
“It is our hardworking residents who pay for these world class sporting facilities and to see them destroyed frequently is a disgrace,” he said.
“Sadly a small, selfish and arrogant element in our community believe they are above the law. While they get their thrills from such petty behaviour, our sporting clubs and young athletes and the wider community suffer the consequence of their actions.”
The proposal was supported by the other councillors with a feasibility report to be presented to the council at a later date.
