REDLANDS is facing a wave of vandalism and antisocial behaviour, with public parks, playgrounds, and community facilities left damaged and trashed.
Recent acts of vandalism have left Redlands Baseball Park in Capalaba damaged, with lighting towers and switchboards wrecked and electrical cables stolen, alongside items taken from the clubhouse.
Playground equipment has been graffitied and fires lit at Apex Park in Wellington Point, where plastic was melted onto the ground.
Playgrounds in Point Talburpin Park, Redland Bay, have also been targeted, while shade cloth was burnt in William Stewart Park, Thornlands.
Coastal defences on Russell Island have been vandalised, with rock bags cut and rocks stolen.
The amenities block in William Stewart Park had to be removed in March after being damaged beyond repair, leaving Thornlands Community Park as the nearest public facility.
Mayor Jos Mitchell has called on residents to help curb the destruction by reporting any illegal or suspicious activity to police.
“There is often an expectation from the community that more security cameras should be installed in known crime hotspots to act as a deterrent for unlawful and antisocial behaviour.
“Disappointingly, two temporary security cameras were vandalised soon after they were installed in Apex Park, Wellington Point.
“There have been a number of incidents of power being turned off to the display unit on Russell Island pontoon, freezing the screen showing the departure times for ferries,” she said.
Meanwhile, Councillor Alex Givney said Brisbane City Council was committed to protecting the Bayside’s lifestyle and safety, with new fixed and mobile CCTV cameras rolled out across local suburbs to help deter crime and support police in catching offenders.
“We are so lucky to enjoy such a fantastic lifestyle in the Bayside, and our Council is determined to keep it that way,” she said.
“Together with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, our Council has installed 10 more fixed cameras and 26 mobile CCTV cameras across the suburbs to deter crime and help catch offenders.
“We shouldn’t tolerate suburban crime, which is why I’ve worked with locals and police to deploy mobile cameras in the most-needed areas, and we’ve already seen very positive results.”
South Brisbane District Acting Superintendent Scott Prestidge said police were cracking down on vandals.
“Vandalism and wilful damage of public property is a senseless crime that costs the community time and resources,” he said.
“Police do regular patrols around parks and public space across Brisbane’s bayside.
“Members of the public play such an important role providing vital information when reporting criminal activity.”
