Police, residents raise concerns over ‘Bong City’ at Bara Way Reserve, Beaumont Hills
POLICE have dubbed it “Bong City”, while Beaumont Hills residents have revealed they are living in fear after more drug sales and vandalism at Bara Way Reserve.
Hills Shire
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POLICE have dubbed it “Bong City”, while Beaumont Hills residents have revealed they are living in fear.
Shocked residents are calling on The Hills Shire Council and Hills Police to act after more drug sales and vandalism at Bara Way Reserve.
Beaumont Hills resident Jared Jacobsen contacted councillors after he and his neighbours recorded several incidents where vandals had destroyed council facilities.
Mr Jacobsen has reported vandalism in the reserve several times each month to the council since September.
“I generally have no qualms in approaching a few youth and telling them to move on,” Mr Jacobsen said. “However, the group has been growing and with the size of some of them, I care not to put myself in harm’s way.
“Families all around the area are concerned about the reserve; we have had kids abused, shade sails slashed, fires being lit and last week I filled up an abandoned trolley with rubbish and four bongs.”
Over the past several months residents have also witnessed explosives being detonated in the reserve.
Mr Jacobsen is calling for the council to install lighting and surveillance cameras throughout the park to ward off vandals.
North ward councillor Robyn Preston said it was rare to see this kind of vandalism in The Hills.
“It is really important that we provide a safe, family friendly area for residents to use on a daily basis,” she said.“We want to reassure families that council is seriously looking into the complaint and are working with police to protect residents.”
Cr Preston said such vandalism “was a violation and insult to the community”.
Recent surveys conducted by the Hills Shire Times revealed the protection of open space and the creation of community facilities was one of residents’ most significant demands.
Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the anti-social behaviour is “unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.
“Residents should be able to enjoy this beautiful reserve without feeling intimidated and unsafe,” she said. “We will be looking closely at what we can do to reduce the antisocial activity that’s occurring and to reduce the ongoing vandalism.”
Supt. Rob Critchlow said Police have been aware of problems in the reserve for some time.
“The reports we have received of damage to equipment, drug use and sexual activity are most unacceptable,” he said.
“We have listed the area on our intelligence briefings and police patrol the area when resources permit.
“Our youth officer attends the area and we have also received some support from the Public Order Squad to patrol.”
Supt. Critchlow said there had been two intelligence reports and two police events in the reserve.