Council to seek $25,000 in restitution from graffiti vandals who attacked North Shore Busway station

March 28, 2008

North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams says he is appalled at the vandalism of the Sunnynook Busway Station and the Council will be urging the Police to seek full restitution for the costs of repairing the damage, which is estimated at $25,000.

Early on Good Friday morning, 32 glass panels were smashed with a sledgehammer and the station was tagged. Two people were involved. The vandalism happened shortly after a large party at a nearby house was broken up by the North Shore Police, and it is believed the two incidents are linked.

Security cameras are in place to protect each of the five stations along the Northern Busway, a high-speed public transport initiative which opened in February. The cameras captured images of both young offenders. One is clearly identifiable; the other was wearing a hoodie.

The security cameras are monitored 24 hours a day but the vandals left the scene by the time security staff arrived. Once they are caught, the Police expect to lay serious charges.

Mayor Williams says, "It was a pointless and idiotic thing to do and definitely not a trivial or harmless incident. Not only was it mindless vandalism of a valuable public facility, it was incredibly stupid to have done such a thing with security cameras recording everything they were doing. Even their families will recognize them.

"Tagging and vandalism are a modern curse and as a city we are taking the strongest stand possible against it. Restitution will be sought because these people have to realize the effects of what they do. I am determined they will take responsibility for their actions. This was a blatant attack on the decent and law abiding society of North Shore City and we will not tolerate such antisocial behaviour."

ENDS

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