Recent acts of vandalism at the Truemans Road Recreation Reserve in Capel Sound are a timely reminder for everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Police.
Rosebud Heart Soccer Club, based at the reserve has reported a number of recent incidents including:
- Superglued locks used to chain portable soccer goals to the perimeter fence of the soccer field, preventing them being used for training
- Removal of signs cable tied to the perimeter fence to advise members and visitors about COVID-19 restrictions
- Destruction of one of their soccer goals
- Cutting of soccer nets
- Vehicles busting through the access gates to the ground to do circle work and burnouts on the soccer field
- Occurrences of vehicles doing circle work and burnouts around the outside of the soccer field
All matters have been reported to the Police and the Mornington Peninsula Shire has increased patrols of the area.
Vandalism in Shire reserves impacts the community in multiple ways, including the disruption to organised sport or other passive recreation. Council works with local clubs and the Police to pursue enforcement and cost recovery but often this is not possible. In cases where the perpetrators cannot be found, the community ultimately has to foot the bill as the repairs are either covered by the clubs, or where the damage is significant, coordinated and funded through the Shire.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Despi O'Connor:
"Acts of vandalism such as those at Rosebud Heart Soccer Club are devastating for the club and the local community that uses the facility".
"I am so disappointed people feel the need to damage public property without any consideration for the disruption they are creating. It's often the local kids who are impacted the most when they can't train or play sport on weekends".
"If you see any suspicious activity, please call the Police".
