COMMUNITY GROUPS FALL VICTIM TO VANDALS
THERE are calls for better security in the city’s tourism hub after a spate of callous vandalism at Broadbeach community groups.
Five organisations surrounding Nikiforides Family Park in Broadbeach have been victims in the past month, including the Broadbeach United Soccer Club, which copped around $2000 worth of damage on Wednesday night.
Thieves smashed their way through a glass door, ransacking rooms and smashing bottles.
Devastated club members found empty alcohol cans strewn across the floor, and more drinks and the empty cash register were missing.
Meanwhile, the Broadbeach Bowls Club had its shade sails ripped, causing $1300 of damage, and the Broadbeach Community Kindergarten, Art Society and Surf Life Saving Club have also been targeted recently.
Broadbeach United Soccer Club secretary Ren Shennan said it was “souldestroying” to know that someone would knowingly target a community group.
“It’s a lot of money to us, we rely on the bar and cafe takings to keep the club going so this is a huge blow,” she said. “We’re not feeling safe at all. If there are dangerous people in the area we look to council and police to stamp it out as soon as possible.”
Ms Shennan said, with lots of young families in the area, there should be more CCTV around the park.
Division 10 councillor Paul Taylor told the Bulletin six security cameras operated in Nikiforides Family Park but more cameras and council security patrols were options.
“This has all generated in the last couple of months,” he said.
“They’re all in the same area … we don’t want it here.”
Cr Taylor and Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek are among those expected to sit down with police next week to discuss the crime problem in the area.
Mr Langbroek said it was disappointing to see.
“My concern is for my local residents and community groups and I’m keen to work with anyone who wants to try to assist,” he said.
“There’s no easy solution to this problem but we’re not going to tolerate bad behaviour and illegal behaviour.
“You’ve got local residents who don’t deserve to feel unsafe or threatened because of noise or bad behaviour around the park.”
A police spokesman confirmed they were aware of the matter and were continuing to investigate.