The City of Cockburn has received $1,468 reparation from two men found guilty of damaging gates and fences at Rose Shanks Reserve in Treeby early this year.
A 19-year-old Leeming man was fined $800 and ordered to pay $968 reparation when he appeared at Fremantle Magistrates Court on 8 June and a second man, who failed to appear in court on that day, plead guilty on 2 July after police issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The 30-year-old Forrestfield man was fined $500 and ordered to pay $500 reparation.
The two pleaded guilty to the charges as a result of trespass incidents in the banksia eucalypt woodland reserve in January and March after their actions were captured on covert City of Cockburn CCTV cameras placed in the area.
The City is now appealing for help to identify those responsible for destroying two gates on the western side of the Lake Coogee Reserve off Fawcett Road sometime around 20 July, causing $1,200 damage.
A vehicle was driven through the gates and also knocked over a steel post between a bollard and fence as it exited the reserve’s eastern boundary near Gardiner Avenue in Munster.
Trespass and damage incidents are not isolated at council-managed reserves. It is estimated in the past three years, fence and gate repairs due to criminal damage has cost ratepayers more than $60,000 a year.
People with any information on trespass, damage or dumping crimes in the City can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or speak to Environmental Services at Cockburn council on 08 9411 3444.
Pic Caption: One of two gates destroyed on the western side of the Lake Coogee Reserve off Fawcett Road sometime around 20 July.