PARENTS have been warned to be alert after thumb tacks were found scattered around two children’s playgrounds in Somerville.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is urging anyone who discovers vandalism of any sort to contact it after the thumb tacks, or drawing pins, were found at the playground Pembroke Drive, Somerville on Sunday 3 December.
The council’s rapid response team went to the playground on Monday to clean up any remaining thumb tacks.
Posts on social media reports also show a similar thing happened at Clairmont Close Reserve at around the same time, with thumb tacks left on equipment and playground furniture.
A parent whose child was taken to the park by grandparents and found the tacks in “multiple spots” around the playground said it was “not acceptable” and wanted to warn other parents.
“It’s going to end up where we have security cameras just to make sure our kids are safe,” she posted.
Others described it as a disgusting act by a “sick individual”.
Another parent who found tacks at Pembroke Drive playground said they had been spread all over the equipment, with many others buried in the bark.
Victoria Police said the incidents had not been reported to them, and they were not investigating.
The shire said it took safety seriously and urged anyone who discovered an issue to promptly report it to the website: mornpen.vic.gov.au/reportit. For urgent problems call 1800 850 600.
First published in the Mornington News – 12 December 2023
