Hoons have driven through two public parks in as many weeks, destroying trees and leaving a hefty clean-up bill for Hume council.
Deep tyre marks have scarred Carrick Drive Reserve in Gladstone Park and parkland along Yuroke Creek, off Kirkham Drive in Greenvale.
Hume council staff suspect the parks were damaged during the Anzac Day weekend.
Another park in Craigieburn was also vandalised more recently when vehicles were driven over a number of young trees supported by stakes.
Mayor Adem Atmaca says such behaviour is disappointing for everyone.
“It’s unsettling for residents who live nearby and hear the hoons in action late at night, and I’m saddened to see that the damaged area in Gladstone Park lies between a church and a bowls club,” he said.
“Council officers work hard to cultivate the parks and reserves across Hume, and they obviously feel a little frustrated when the community’s grasses and plants are damaged.”
He said it would take some time for the turf to properly recover due to the cold, wet weather.
Hoon driving is a constant source of frustration for Hume police but vandalising parks is more unusual, Fawkner Highway Patrol Sergeant Mick Free said.
He said police have a much bigger issue on their hands with “drag racers”, who congregate in large groups in industrial estates at Campbellfield and Thomastown.
“Once they get there, they’re quite violent, they’re reckless and there’s the potential for them to lose control,” Sergeant Free said.
Report vandalism and hoon driving to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
