Support for increased security at Umina oval

The organiser of the Umina Beach Markets held monthly at Umina oval has supported calls for more surveillance and policing in the precinct.

"The market is on the third Sunday of each month and I am usually on the grounds by myself around 4am to set-up," said Mr Ricky Simoes from Umbala Events.

"In the two years of running this market. there have been multiple occasions were dozens of teenagers, young adults, are loitering in the park when I arrive," Mr Simoes said.

"With my arrival, they swear and shout, and this has made me feel very uncomfortable and unsafe," he said.

"Fortunately, they believe I work for the Council and disperse soon after my arrival.

"This is due to the florescent vest that I wear.

"Council waste bins have been set alight numerous times.

"Usually by the time I arrive they have completely burnt.

"However, I have put out a fire at the park before it went out of control.

"There has been an occasion when all street signs have been pulled out of the ground for Council workers to fix.

"I have also witnessed a car that was completely vandalised and smashed.

"I have seen the shutters at Jasmine Greens Kiosk shutters smashed in.

"A couple of months ago, we arrived to find that the cafe had been broken into and their tills taken.

"The precinct has a beautiful play area for toddlers to play in with sand pits and jungle gyms.

"This area is surrounded by broken glass.

"As a matter of fact the whole parking lot towards the beach entry is littered with broken glass from bottles being smashed for fun.

"These experiences are from only one day in a month.

"My heart goes out to Gabby Greyem for dealing with this on a daily basis.

"We all hope that Umina can be a safer place."

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales said he had written to Central Coast mayor Cr Jane Smith, supporting the request for Council to apply for Safer Communities Funding for the area around Jasmine Greens.

"I have met several times with Ms Greyem and am fully aware of the level of anti-social behaviour in the precinct which has escalated in the last six months," Mr Wales said.

Source:

Email, 3 Nov 2017

Ricky Simoes, Umbala Events

Media release, 31 Oct 2017

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce