By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE District Commissioner for Scouts in Casey has denied there is an upward trend in Scout hall break-ins despite a third hall in the region being ransacked in as many months.
The Hallam Scout Hall, on Gunns Road, was broken into around 7pm on Monday 11 May with thieves setting off a fire extinguisher inside the building.
It comes as the News earlier this month reported break-ins and copper piping thefts had occurred at the Cranbourne and Devon Meadows Scout Halls in recent weeks.
Casey District Commissioner Mick Adams said he’d only heard of four Scout hall break-ins in his eight years serving in the role, all of which occurred in the last 12 months or so.
“That’s not to say it hasn’t happened and people haven’t told me,” he said.
“Is there a trend? I couldn’t with any honesty say to you there’s a trend.”
He said Scout halls were no more a target than any other community or sporting facility.
“We’re no different to any group, some people get it in their minds that they’re going to do something, whether it’s a church, a Scout hall or a football pavilion, the opportunity presents itself.
“There just happens to be a bit of mischief in this recent Scouting calendar.”
Police have confirmed the theft of copper piping is prevalent in Casey, and Mr Adams urged Scouting groups to look at replacing their existing structures with plastic where possible.
Earlier this month Casey Council resolved to look into the viability of having CCTV cameras set up at the Cranbourne Scout Hall on the South Gippsland Highway, as well as new locks and doors installed following recent incidents.
President of the First Cranbourne Scouts committee Jenni Walden said vandalism at the hall had increased since Christmas, while also voicing fears for the children’s safety after syringes and bongs were repeatedly found scattered near the building.
She also said a Scout leader’s car was damaged a week before Easter by a raider who broke into the grounds while the children were having a sleepover inside the hall.
“It’s disturbing given kids are in the hall at times,” she told the News.
“This time of year it’s dark early and we don’t want kids going out in the backyard but we don’t want them to be restricted.”
