Tarolinta Park, Ocean Reef: Joondalup council could use cameras to capture tree vandals mayor labels 'idiot'

The mayor of Joondalup has warned a serial killer intent on preserving the sea view at Ocean Reef – “do it again and you will be caught”.

The ultimatum came when Mayor Albert Jacob labeled the vandal an “idiot” on the radio last week because the culprit, who attacks at night with a saw, was killing bushes and paperbark seedlings in Tarolinta Park that would never grow large enough to prevent the ocean from residents. views.

The council had a number of camera options and support from neighbors to “catch the person doing this if it continues” after nearly 60 trees were vandalized in recent years, 19 of them last month.

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A serial vandal has been killing trees in Tarolinta Park, Ocean Reef. Credit: Justin Bianchini

“We have prosecutorial powers if we catch someone, and we will,” Jacob said on 6PR.

“The town of Melville had a similar problem on its coast a few years ago. They caught the person red-handed… and I’m aware of other councils that have had successful prosecutions recently.

“So make no mistake, if we catch someone doing this, we will prosecute them.”

Jacob said they could face a fine of at least $5,000 and possible criminal mischief charges.

“We clearly have a lot of local support,” Jacob said.

“So you have passive surveillance support from neighbors.

“We have mobile camera options, we have fixed camera options. I’m not saying we’re doing that, and I wouldn’t announce it if we were doing that.

“I know, for example, Melville, when they caught the person on their coast doing this to the trees, they had secret cameras hidden and the person was walking right in front of them.”

The sawn dead trees in Tarolinta Park, Ocean Reef. Credit: Justin Bianchini

The recent vandalism involved the culprit sawing the trees at their base and leaving them to die while they were still tied to stakes.

“This almost always happens in the dead of night,” Jacob said.

“But we will win in the end.

“It’s stupid, stupid that they’re cutting down small trees when there are big trees (sheoaks and tuarts) further down the hill that are already mature and will block your view more than the ones we’re planting, man.”

A park user walking her dog said the vandalism was “crazy.”

“This is the type of person who could harm an animal,” she said.

“Poor trees.”

One of the trees sawed down and left to die in Tarolinta Park, Ocean Reef. Credit: Justin Bianchini

A statement from the City of Joondalup to PerthNow attributed to Mr Jacob said the city was “deeply disappointed” by the vandalism of the trees.

“People who vandalize trees are causing a loss of amenities and additional costs to our community by destroying community assets, which need to be replaced,” Jacob said.

“The city will carry out a full assessment of the damaged trees, plant replacement trees and write to nearby landowners asking for their support in identifying and helping to capture the culprits and notify the police.

“The city is determined to improve the tree canopy in our suburbs and we have strong support from neighboring residents to plant more trees.

“Anyone caught removing or destroying trees on city land will be prosecuted, and the city may also recover the costs of replacing trees and damaged property from the offender(s) in court.”

Jacob urged anyone with information about tree damage to call 9400 4000 or police.