Repeated vandal attacks on a Churchill kindergarten have forced Latrobe City Council to install security cameras to try and catch offenders in the act.
Glendonald Preschool has been hit four times in the past few months by acts of destructive vandalism that have set ratepayers back more than $10,000 in damages.
Mayor Darrell White said these incidents have been frustrating for both kinder staff and the community and was struggling to understand why someone would target a local preschool.
“We want to find out who is doing this and why they are doing it. We want to catch the perpetrators,” Cr White said.
“Staff put their heart and soul [in] to make sure they provide a quality environment. This place plays a critical role in the development of youngsters who utilise this venue.”
The attacks started during the summer break when offenders covered the preschool entrance with tags. They broke into the centre at a later date to throw paint all over the carpets and walls.
Most recently, vandals slashed the outdoor shade sails and two weeks ago, stole hammock supports from the playground.
The preschool has an alarm system but the council is spending more than $2600 on CCTV cameras to identify the offenders, which could then lead to charges.
Cr White said no one had yet been charged over the incidents.
“There are some people in the community who feel it is okay to undertake this kind of damage. This is a community-owned asset, let’s look after it,” he said.
Cr White urged anyone with any information in relation to these vandal attacks to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
