Reward offered to catch vandals

Frustration over vandalism at Woy Woy’s Pelican Park has led Mayor Cr Chris Holstein to offer a reward.

"Vandals splashed paint all over the new play equipment and pavers in the park adjacent to Fisherman’s Wharf," said Cr Holstein.

"I can’t stress how senseless these acts are. It’s the ratepayers who have to pay for council’s repair bills.

"It’s also frustrating when new facilities are provided for the community and some idiots take great delight in destroying them.

"I find it hard to believe nobody knows who is responsible. Council is offering a reward for information that will lead to a conviction.

"We simply have to put a stop to this," said Cr Holstein.

Chair of Woy Woy CBD Committee Cr Lynne Bockholt said: "The Woy Woy CBD Committee has been working for several years to upgrade Pelican Park on the waterfront so that local families and tourists will be able to enjoy one of the best spots on the Coast.

"Several times in recent months the area has been subject to vandalism but the attack which occurred overnight on July 7 and 8 was by far the worst. Estimates are that it will cost Council $4000 to fix.

"Vandals poured paint all over the play equipment and the tiles with the result that the park could not be used for several days.

"Several committee members visited the site to see the damage and were infuriated by what they saw as mindless vandalism aimed at stopping local families from enjoying the amenities which Council provides.

"I hope any member of the community who knows anything will come forward and give the police any information.

"I want to thank Council workers who were on site immediately and were very distressed by what they saw."

"I believe that this kind of vandalism would be reduced if there were more police on the beat.

"Sometimes I feel as though we have been abandoned as far as police are concerned.

"It seems to me that the priorities are all wrong - the police are being increasingly used on the roads as revenue-raisers when I believe more of them should be walking the beat, getting to know their local communities and keeping an eye on community facilities and local businesses.

"It's got to the stage where I feel as though we have been abandoned on the Peninsula.

"The people I talk to around the area are sick of the vandalism, the open use of drugs and the increasing rate of burglary.

"They pay their taxes and they believe they are entitled to be protected by police on the beat.

"If this were the case, we would see fewer incidents like the distressing sight of Pelican Park which greeted people over the weekend."

July 14