Call to drive out hoons

By Lia Bichel
A BERWICK couple said they were disgusted that local trees were vandalised on Ernst Wanke Road on the weekend.
Two Berwick residents, who asked not to be named, said a number of bus stop signs were ripped out of the ground and trees were vandalised during a midnight rampage.
The couple, who are aged in their 70s, said the incident was not isolated and that hooning on Ernst Wanke Road, near where they live, had become a weekly occurrence.
In the past month, they have seen many people speeding, driving across nature strips and smashing into curbs.
The man told the News he believed the same people who were causing havoc near his home were the same people responsible for ripping the bus signs out of the ground and vandalising the trees.
“It would have taken more than one guy to do it,” he said.
“The bus stop signs were concreted down. They would have had to get out of the car and tear out the signs and drag the trees down. It’s disgusting.”
City of Casey Manager Parks and Reserves Trevor Griffin said the council would remove the damaged tree and replace it at a cost of about $200.
City of Casey Manager Community Safety Caroline Bell said that on occasion, the City of Casey, as with every municipality, suffered from vandalism and anti-social behaviour and residents were encouraged to report acts of vandalism to the police on triple zero for them to take action if the activity was causing an immediate safety concern.
“In January there was a significant spate of graffiti in this area of Berwick; however, as a result of council officers working closely with police the offenders were subsequently arrest and charged,” Ms Bell said.
“In addition, earlier this year, there were some reported incidents of motorbikes using the reserve in the vicinity.
“Following the installation of signage in the area there have been no further complaints to council’s Community Safety Department.”
The damaged bus signs are property of the Victorian Department of Transport.
A Narre Warren police officer said he was not aware of the particular incident but urged anyone who witnessed such crimes to call their local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.