Vandal rewards double

Gosford Council has doubled its rewards for a "Dob-in-a-Vandal" program after a spate of costly vandalism damage over the last two months, much of it on the Peninsula..

Mayor Cr Chris Holstein said there had been little response to the dob-in-a-vandal program, which was introduced in 1994 and offers rewards of between $250 and $2500 to people who give information that leads to a conviction.

"People either don't want to get involved or the rewards are not sufficient," he said.

The cost to ratepayers from vandalism is about $250,000 per year across the city.

Over the last months, there have been a number of acts of vandalism, in Pelican Park, the toilet blocks at Correa Bay and Mt Ettalong Lookout among others.

"Almost $70,000 damage over four items alone has been done in the last two months (in the Gosford City area)," Cr Holstein said.

Council resolved to set up a meeting with State Government representatives to address the issue of policing.

Brisbane Water police detective Chief Inspector Dennis O'Toole said at a recent public meeting that the command's police numbers recently had been increased with much of the command's focus being on the Peninsula.

The use of council rangers to take on a surveillance role was suggested by councillors.

However, Cr Holstein said he had reservations about putting a staff member in a position that may compromise their safety.

He said the example of Sydney's North Shore where council rangers liaise with police, with some rangers being off-duty police was a better option.

Councillors decided to enter into talks with police to gauge what council rangers could do when witnessing vandalism.

Cr Robert Bell said he did not care what statistics said about increased police numbers.

"They are not here."

Members of the public addressed Council about their concerns.

Mr Huntington said Brickwharf Rd in Woy Woy was having trouble with vandals and theft.

"The young hoodlums are in the same place at the same time on the waterfront," he said.

"They set bins alight with at least 15 cases in the last few months.."

Cr Lynne Bockholt said the Umina Surf Club's old surfboard had been set alight also.

"The police aren't coping and the State Government has washed its hands of it," she said.

The fear in the community was perhaps best exemplified when the proposed gazebo at St Huberts Island was rejected mainly due to fears of it being a meeting place for thieves and vandals.

Chief Inspector O'Toole said the police were also frustrated, but had their hands tied by State Government.

He said the community should talk to its local Member of Parliament if it wanted change.

Carl Spears, August 18