Parking prank news story
A news story about a parking prank in Brunswick on Channel 10 news, Monday 7 September 2009.
See the news story
News story published with permission of Channel 10
Read the transcript
Newsreader: A cunning prank by nocturnal vandals putting the squeeze on parking spaces.
Newsreader: An overnight car park stunt has left Brunswick motorists scratching their heads. The nocturnal vandals have turned unmarked spaces into disabled spots and police are now examining security vision of their action.
Reporter Kate Creedon: Security vision catches the vandals in the act spray painting disability symbols into two parking bays outside a Dawson Street business. As cars drive past the building the culprits run for cover in the nearby bushes before returning to continue their crime. A confused maintenance worker discovered the prank when the parks changed overnight and notified the Council. A public car park on Union Street was also targeted, but the extra disability bays were only discovered when the public complained there were not enough unmarked spots.
Peter Brown, CEO Moreland City Council: There were a few people complaining that a car space they've been using for years all of a sudden now has got a disabled parking bay in it.
Reporter Kate Creedon: They have since been removed.
Person 1: Maybe for a laugh or maybe they maybe want that parking spot for themselves.
Person 2: They've got nothing to do.
Reporter Kate Creedon: Despite being fakes drivers did take note and obeyed the newly painted symbols. The vision has been handed over to police who are taking the matter seriously and investigating as they would any act of graffiti.
Chad Garcia Victoria Police: They will be charged with relevant criminal offences and the other thing they'll be looking at is the clean up bill.
Reporter Kate Creedon: Noone was fined for parking in the bays and the Council has checked to make sure no others are marked incorrectly.
Peter Brown, CEO Moreland City Council: But if they really do want to create more disabled parking bays in Brunswick there is actually a process and I'd recommend they come to Council and put their case.
