Council buildings targeted — poo in soap dispensers, toilets doused in petrol
Poo in soap dispensers at public toilets is one example of vandalism that’s costing Hamilton ratepayers nearly $400k per year.
Council staffers have also found toilets doused in petrol and toilet paper, burnt baby change tables, damaged roller doors, and smashed windows.
Each week, up to 15 cases of vandalism of council buildings are reported, a council statement said.
Damage in 2018/19 cost ratepayers $395,000, a figure which doesn’t cover staff time or graffiti removal.
"The money we spent dealing with vandalism last year is equal to the rates for about 160 residential properties,’’ maintenance team leader Ross Brunton said.
‘‘It’s money that could have gone towards new footpaths or a neighbourhood playground.’’
Continued vandalism makes for a demoralising grind for city council team members working to keep community facilities in working order, council said.
There are 10 full-time staffers working on 348 premises across the city.
‘‘It’s just so upsetting,’’ maintenance supervisor Jade Murray said. ‘‘Especially when the council renovates a facility and has it looking fantastic, only for a small group of selfish people to go out and wreck it for the rest of us.
‘‘We spent $260,000 rebuilding Swarbrick Park changing rooms following arson, and in the first few days of them opening the new hand dryers were destroyed.
‘‘I just don’t understand why people behave like that.’’
Murray said more and more of her time was spent dealing with deliberate destruction to public facilities.
Recent examples of vandalism include damage to roller doors at Hamilton Lake’s junior playground, Celebrating Age Centre’s shade sail being pulled off the building, and Enderley’s public toilets being doused in petrol and toilet paper. Council reports incidents to police. Frequent damage to soap and toilet roll dispensers and cisterns has become so common that council is bringing in custom-built steel covers with heavy duty padlocks.
‘‘These come at a cost of $480, which is three times more expensive than the standard model. They’re less visually appealing and have the potential to make people feel unsafe,’’ Brunton said.
‘‘If someone walks into a public toilet and sees the toilet paper on lockdown, they start to look over their shoulder. But we don’t have an option other than try and prevent the vandalism from occurring again.’’
Anyone who sees vandalism occurring can call Police on 111. If you discover vandalism to a council facility, contact Hamilton City Council on 07 838 6699, info@hcc. govt.nz or through Facebook.