Join the fight against costly vandalism

THERE is something utterly depressing about vandalism.

When we see broken shop windows, gates ripped off school entrances, retail frontages besmirched in scribbled spray paint, it is hard not to feel our spirit sag. Its pointlessness speaks to social decay. It would be way too generous to describe these acts as some form of rebellion, an upyours, if you will, to society at large.

Invariably, it is the product of boredom and a profound disconnection.

We are not talking about disaffected youths making a pained cry for help.

Mostly we are talking about acts of feckless stupidity that exact a lasting and costly toll on victims.

Today we learn the clean- up cost tops $ 5000 a week.

But that does not include the lost hours of businesses reporting the crimes, contacting their insurers and overseeing the clean- up.

It also can undermine the confidence of employees in the safety of their workplace.

And of course it ruins the aesthetic quality of a cityscape. In short, it’s a complete waste of time and money. But we need not be completely at the mercy of these idiots.

The cost of video surveillance and effective lighting has plunged in recent years.

To that end, it is encouraging to hear deputy mayor Les Walker suggesting preventative measures introduced, including CCTV cameras and lighting, had indeed reduced the incidence of vandalism.

Yet, despite these positive steps, $ 5000 a week remains too steep a bill for Townsville.

The council must continue to invest in more cameras and street lighting.

And we, all of us ordinary citizens, can do our bit by reporting any suspicious behaviour.

Because ultimately, what is our city but the sum of all of us. If we all take ownership of our city’s welfare, we will go a long way to eradicating this ugly scourge.