Police, security guards to patrol Reservoir Park, Mosman in teen crime crackdown

Police and council security guards are getting tough on teenagers meeting for late night gatherings at a Mosman park, as residents say they are fed up with the unruly behaviour.

A photo of the park where residents say teens are gathering at night.

Unruly teens congregating in a Mosman park at night has sparked a planned crackdown by police and council security guards.

North Shore Police will conduct extra patrols at Reservoir Park in Mosman following a spike in complaints about loud music, vandalism, graffiti and littering in the once pristine patch of north shore green space.

The park is located near multiple homes including the Bridlewood Gardens apartment complex which backs on to the site.

Mosman Council has received multiple complaints about teenagers gathering in the park after dark including instances of underage drinking and smoking.

There have also been reports of young people inhaling laughing gas canisters known as ‘nangs’ and a report of a teenager assaulted in the park earlier this year.

A photo of Reservoir Park by day

Sue Dowsett – a resident of Boronia House – said the anti-social activity in the park had been a perennial problem.

“Some of the local children do not know how to behave and they’ve made the place uninhabitable at times,” she said. “I’ve been here for 25 years and because the park is hidden away off the main street I think they think they can get away with it.

The park is located next to the historic council-owned Boronia House building, which is currently occupied.

“They’ve torn up all the seats, they’ve ripped off other bits and pieces in the park – so much so the council has had to remove the seating.

“There’s been sex on the lawn, screaming and yelling and a couple of weeks ago they broke a window at the back of Boronia House and got a tin of white paint which they threw over the front door.

“It’s been really bad and the language has been terrible. We don't know if these kids with hoodies on are local or not, but I just wonder what their parents think.

“It’s just sad because it’s a lovely park and it should be looked after.”

The park backs on to homes.

North Shore Police have confirmed officers will also step up patrols of the area at night to dissuade the public gatherings.

The concerns from residents have also prompted Mosman Council to consider what options it can take to prevent anti-social activity at the site.

The council’s general manager Dominic Johnson told this month’s council meeting security guards will now visit the park up to three times a night.

Mosman Council is considering ways to address anti-social activity at the site.

Mr Johnson said the council had previously tried to address anti-social activity in the park by installing CCTV and extra lighting.

However, the efforts had “not been completely successful”, Mr Johnson said, partly due to lack of adequate fencing including parts of the park bordering private property.

“Youth activity at night is a problem across Australia, but I don't think (the park) is a den of iniquity – there are just a few rotten apples we’d like to move on,” he said.

Mosman Council is also in the process of finalising a new lease for Boronia House – which is directly next to the park – which the council hopes could improve surveillance of the park.

Harvey Robson, from the owners corporation at Bridlewood Gardens, said any measures to improve safety at the site would be “welcomed” by residents.