Blue Mountains councillors and police are looking for answers on how to combat repeat vandalism at the Lawson War Memorial
The councillors voted unanimously at the May 2 council meeting “as a matter of urgency” for a briefing, after vandals scribbled images and the word “satan” over the 94-year-old sandstone monument, three days before Anzac Day. The Honour Avenue memorial was also vandalised last year.
Of deep concern to the Lawson Combined Services Club and the Chamber of Commerce was that the vandals had scribbled over the names on the Honour Roll.
“Many of these servicemen, often teenagers themselves, had made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and the freedoms we enjoy today,” said chamber secretary Liz Benson.
Video surveillance is one of the mooted options to stop the damage.
“The Chamber is in full support in getting CCTV cameras installed to assist police in preventing further attacks,” Mrs Benson said.
Council’s briefing will look at how best to approach the deterrence of graffiti and vandalism at the memorial and surrounding the village centre.
“I know the local area command is looking for solution and looking for ideas now,” Mayor Mark Greenhill told the meeting.
Cr Romola Hollywood said while council reacted quickly to remove the graffiti from the War Memorial in the lead up to Anzac Day it was vital to start working with the community to find long-term solutions to prevent ongoing graffiti and vandalism in the village.
"On Anzac Day, a number of community members asked me whether it would be possible to install CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras at Lawson to improve the security at our precious war memorial. Other people expressed concern about the ongoing vandalism of the Lawson village signage at the entrance to the new shops,” she said.
"I am keen to get the ball rolling on exploring what options might be available to improve security. While funding for CCTV may come from state and commonwealth grants, council is ideally placed to work with the community to identify potential solutions.”
Cr Hollywood said council would work closely with residents and local community organisations, including the Lawson Combined Services Club and the Lawson Chamber of Commerce, as well as police.
Blue Mountains Local Area Command Inspector Dietmar Almer said the investigation was ongoing and if found, the penalty for the offenders potentially carried a five year jail term.
