Daryll McLaren calls out Tin Can Bay vandals for destroying signs

Just one week after Double Island Point was trashed, its northern neighbour, Tin Can Bay, has been hit by vandals. See the photos.

The beachside town of Tin Can Bay has been targeted by vandals just one week after the nearby popular camping spot Double Island Point was trashed when campers left the area full of rubbish.

Resident Daryll McLaren uses the Tin Can Bay Walking Circuit every weekend and said he noticed the vandalism on Sunday.

The Tin Can Bay vandals ripped off the bird information signs and other signs off their posts, while also graffitiing on other community property including a public seat. Pictures: Daryll McLaren.

“Most of the bird plaques on the north side of the track have been vandalised as well as seats being graffitied and the soccer goals ripped out of the ground,” Mr McLaren said.

“I was shocked to start with and just felt disappointed that some individuals had taken it upon themselves to vandalise different parts of the walkway that many locals and visitors use on a daily basis.”

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Mr McLaren said he had walked the track on Saturday but all the signs were intact, which led him to believe it had happened overnight.

The Tin Can Bay vandals ripped off the bird information signs and other signs off their posts, while also graffitiing on other community property including a public seat. Pictures: Daryll McLaren.

“I’m not sure if it’s been reported, I called into the police station but there was no one there,” he said.

Mr McLaren said he suspects “bored teenagers” were the culprits.

“They’re living in a small town with nothing better to do,” he said.

The Tin Can Bay vandals ripped off the bird information signs and other signs off their posts, while also graffitiing on other community property including a public seat. Pictures: Daryll McLaren.

Mr McLaren said he would like to see more police presence in the community to deter people from this behaviour.

“The police station in Tin Can Bay should be manned on a daily basis instead of only certain hours or days,” he said.

“More activities and sports would help keep these bored individuals busy instead of vandalising community property.

The Tin Can Bay vandals ripped off the bird information signs and other signs off their posts, while also graffitiing on other community property including a public seat. Pictures: Daryll McLaren.

“(The culprits should) stop vandalising community property and have some respect for other people’s hard work and effort that has gone into creating these walkways for everyone in the community to use.”

The Gympie Times contacted the Tin Can Bay police station for comment but could not get through.

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Originally published as Daryll McLaren calls out Tin Can Bay vandals for destroying signs