Big whack with the lot

By Bridget Brady
A man has proposed a curfew for young people after he says he was bashed by a gang of about 20 youths in the McDonald’s car park in Cranbourne on the weekend.
Vince DeStefano, 27, said he and his mates were set upon by a group of teenagers about midnight on Friday when they had stopped at McDonald’s to get something to eat.
Mr DeStefano said his friends had navigated their way through a “sea” of young people in the car park when some started to kick their utility as they drove past.
“I jumped out of the car to have a look and that’s when I was confronted by a couple of guys,” he said. “I was kicked in the guts by one of the kids then his mate was swinging punches towards me.”
Mr DeStefano said he received a big kick in the back that brought him to the ground and the youths continued to kick him while he was down.
He said one of his friends was also hurt.
“We actually felt really violated about it. We’re all pretty big sort of guys and when we were kids we probably never contemplated trying to attack guys our age and our size.”
Mr DeStefano said he told nearby police that night what had happened and would make an official report soon.
The former Cranbourne and now Cardinia resident said some places had become a regular hang out for young people on a Friday and Saturday and fights were frequent.
A curfew for young people, stronger police presence and greater security at businesses were some of the factors that could have prevented his attack, Mr DeStefano said.
Casey youth resource officer at the Cranbourne Police Station Leading Senior Constable David Smith said he did not believe young people in Cranbourne had nothing to do, and said it was an excuse that some used.
“There are a lot of positive activities and agencies trying to engage young people in programs and that sort of thing,” Ldg Snr Const Smith said. “The vast majority of young people are doing the right thing, but of course some still choose to engage in the antisocial and negative behaviour.”
A spokesperson for McDonald’s said the company was focused on providing a safe and secure environment for staff and customers.
“As a precaution and deterrent to any potential for anti-social behaviour we utilise CCTV, security lighting, traffic cameras, trained staff and operating procedures that have been proven over a number of sites and years of operation,” the spokesperson said.
“The Cranbourne restaurant utilises 16 CCTV cameras, and has recently undergone an upgrade to its exterior car park lighting.”