THE Mount Gambier Railway Lands has become a target for vandals over the Easter weekend with a spate of graffiti plastered over several areas of the iconic city site.
Residents Robin and Caroline Weston stumbled upon what they described an vile language tagged on the bitumen while using cross-city rail trail on Sunday morning.
When it started to rain in Mount Gambier, the two good samaritans returned with buckets and brooms to remove some of the vandalism.
“We didn’t want to just leave it there, because it was quite vile language,” Mr Weston said.
“We are given these great areas and things to use in this community and I think it is important to show an interest in them and not just let a few ruin it for the rest of us.
“I would clean it again if it happened.”
Mount Gambier Police attended the location at around 9am after receiving the reports of graffiti tags on paths, fences and the railway.
They are yet to arrest or charge anyone with the vandalism, however stated that investigations into the matter were still continuing.
“Graffiti is not art – it is a criminal offence that involves offenders vandalising the property of others without consent by the use of spray paint, marking pens or other similar items,” a police spokesperson said.
“Graffiti vandalism costs the community both time and resources.
“Residential and commercial premises along with high visibility areas, e.g. rail corridors, are just some of the sites targeted by graffiti vandals.”
It is not the first time a tourist location has been targeted with graffiti in the Blue Lake City.
The Umpherston Sinkhole was the victim of vandals in October 2016, who wrote vile comments at the tourist location using pink spray paint.
Police said vandals lacked respect for their community and their behaviour would not be tolerated.
“Graffiti vandals have no respect for private or community property and no regard for the negative impacts of their actions,” they said.
“Their aim is to impress their peers and strengthen their reputations by putting their graffiti ‘tags’ in as many places as possible.”
In an attempt to reduce crime and prevent repeat offending, police said it is important to report graffiti vandalism and suspicious activity as soon as possible.
“Graffiti can lower property values, make people feel unsafe, reduce business patronage and encourage other types of crime,” a police spokesperson said.
“Keeping our neighbourhoods free of graffiti reinforces pride in the community and helps maintain feelings of safety and wellbeing.”
Anyone with any information in relation to the vandalism at The Rail is urged to report it online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone who witnesses such behaviour should call police immediately on 131 444.
