Residents, business owners say there has been an increase in troubling behaviour in ‘beautiful’ Bangalow

Residents and business owners say Bangalow has always been a safe, “sweet” town, but a recent spate of troubling incidents has led to concerns that the “energy” is changing.

There have been reports of baked beans poured over a car and smashed glass around Bangalow. Pictures: Peter Horrox and Kolbz / istock

It’s behaviour that may have begun with harmless fun, but people in Bangalow are being impacted by careless acts and damage to property.

The people wreaking havoc are also putting local wildlife in serious danger, according to Snake Catcher Northern Rivers owner Jack Hogan.

Mr Hogan, who grew up in the area, came across a car which had baked beans poured over the windscreen and bonnet behind Bangalow’s pub on Sunday afternoon.

Numerous people have reported seeing young people involved in this sort of behaviour, as well using “nangs”, or nitrous oxide canisters.

Mr Hogan said he was most gravely concerned about smashed glass and the devastating impact this has on wildlife.

“When it comes to littering and especially broken glass around … I’m constantly getting calls to rescue animals that have gotten cut,” he said.

He said the ragged bottoms of broken glass bottles were “the worst part”.

“They have a habit of splitting wallabies’ feet apart … they go gangrenous,” he said.

“They die a really slow painful death ... (it) that really has a drastic impact on our native wildlife.”

He said he hoped even those with an “anti-authority” approach would have “enough passion” for wildlife to see the damage being done.

Mr Hogan said he’d only noticed problematic behaviour in the town fairly recently.

“Just in the last few months I’ve really started seeing where they’re doing the drugs in that old station (and) people throwing glass bottles all around,” he said.
“Bangalow is a beautiful little town,” he said.

“I absolutely love Bangalow.

“But I can see the town already starting to get pretty grubby.

“I’m not too stoked about that because it’s a beautiful little town.”
Katherine Brauer, who owns Bangalow store Bisque, said she had decided to install security cameras after property damage outside her and a neighbouring business.

“It looks like they were jumping up and down on our benches,” she said.

“The palm trees, they just literally uprooted them from our pots and dragged them through the carpark and threw them on top of a car.”

When she raised concerns about the behaviour on social media, some argued there was not enough for young people to do in the town.

“I don’t believe that because I really and truly do not believe that’s an issue,” Ms Brauer said.

“Bangalow has raised hundreds and hundreds of kids over the years and none of them have done this. This is a new thing.”

Ms Brauer said it was disappointing to see this behaviour unfolding in the town.

“Bangalow is such a sweet little town and you’re so safe,” she said.

“I have often left my store very late at night.

“Not once would I ever feel scared or anything.

“It’s like you can feel the energy is just changing a little bit in Bangalow and it’s not good.

“They had a really good go at causing absolute havoc in town.”

She said parents should shoulder some responsibility.

“They need to know where they are,” she said.

Tweed Byron Police District Detective Chief Inspector Matt Kehoe said some incidents had been reported, and investigations were ongoing.

“We would encourage any other residents in Bangalow who have information to contact police,” Insp Kehoe said.

“The ongoing police investigation has developed strong lines of enquiry although I am unable to elaborate further due to the ongoing nature of enquiries.”

He said since last Friday, police had received reports of two incidents of malicious damage, two thefts from cars and two attempts to steal cars.

“Six reports in six days is unusual for Bangalow, however there have not been any major increases in crime in the sector,” he said.

“Again we would encourage people to report any matters to police and any parents or friends who may have information should also report this to police.”