An Albury widower has called for CCTV cameras at the entrance of Glenroy’s Glenmorus Memorial Gardens after more ‘disrespectful’ burnouts were found at the cemetery on Sunday.
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George Krooglik said he was devastated and angry when he saw the marks during a visit to his late-wife Ester’s grave.
“It was an awful feeling, it’s just disrespectful,” he said.
“It’s immature and in contempt of grieving families, it’s like graffiti they’re thumbing their nose and showing off.
“Some people have no respect for the sensitivities of the location.”
Mr Krooglik said the marks had now appeared in the same section of the cemetery three times since September.
He said he was not aware of anywhere else in the cemetery that had experienced burn outs and these appeared to be a ‘copycat of what happened before’.
It is not known if the latest two incidents are connected to a previous incident in mid-September when friends and family of the late Shaun Crighton were captured on video leaving skid marks after his burial.
In December after the second round of burn outs at the spot council told the Border Mail they were facing a damage bill of up to $20,000 to resurface the road.
At that time councillor Henk van de Ven said council and staff needed to contemplate locking the cemetery at certain times or installing security cameras.
“A remote CCTV camera also doesn’t cost a lot to install,” he said in December.
However when contacted in light of the most recent burnouts, Albury mayor Kevin Mack said council was monitoring but had no immediate plans in response to the hooning.
“We have had three isolated incidents over many decades – therefore we will continue to monitor and have no immediate plans to install cameras or prohibit 24/7 access,” he said.
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Albury Inspector Scott Russell said the hoon behaviour was uncalled for.
“It’s very disrespectful hoon behaviour,” he said.
“It won’t be tolerated and if an offender is identified they will be put through the court system.”
Mr Krooglik said the burnouts disrespected every person buried in the cemetery and their mourning families, who want to know their loved ones are at peace.
He said something must be done and called for CCTV at the cemetery entrance.
A former policeman himself, Mr Krooglik said cameras should monitor the cemetery.
“Some sort of CCTV at the entrance is needed to monitor vehicles coming in, so police and council have some idea of the type of vehicles that come and go,” he said.
Mr Krooglik said the motivations of whoever was doing the burnouts, even if they saw it as an act honouring someone they loved – it was not appropriate.
“It’s immature and illegal,” he said.
“They’re just focusing on their own indulgences and to hell with the rest of the people around.
“Everyone has different ways to honour their dead, but you don’t have to make a show of self-gratification.”
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.