Push to make coastal carparks safer

The City of Rockingham and Department of Parks and Wildlife are working together to make coastal carparks described as crime hotspots safer to the public.

Antisocial behaviour, vandalism, graffiti and assault have all been prevalent this year in carparks at Point Peron and Shoalwater, with concerns raised by residents and business owners.

A high-profile incident involved Lawrence Henrisson attacked by three youths at Point Peron car park in February, with one allegedly striking him with a baseball bat and leaving the father of two in a coma.

Point Peron carpark falls under DPaW jurisdiction, with a department spokesman confirming preventive measures were being taken.

“The Department of Parks and Wildlife will install better signage in the Cape Peron carparks to warn visitors of the risk of theft and will also prune shrubs in this area to allow for better passive surveillance around the carparks,” he said.

“The department has received a number of complaints regarding theft and antisocial behaviour at Cape Peron recently and is working to address community concerns in this area.”

The spokesman confirmed meetings with the City of Rockingham had taken place to investigate the possibility of CCTV systems being deployed.

These would be installed in the 2016-17 financial year if deemed appropriate.

City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said security at Penguin Island carpark would also be boosted in the near future.

“Penguin Island carpark has been identified as the initial location for a mobile CCTV camera,” he said.

“There is a list of hotspots where the camera will be set up but it has not yet been decided how long it will remain at location. We are currently in the process of ordering and purchasing the camera.”