Reports of dangerous driving, smashed letterboxes, and one decimated community library box have left some Masterton residents frustrated and concerned.
Police received multiple reports describing antisocial road user behaviour last weekend on Cambridge Tce, Oliver’s Rd, and Upper Manaia Rd.
Several of these reports also detailed mailboxes being damaged and removed between Friday and Sunday nights at properties along Willow Park Dr, Bluff Rangitumau Rd, and Kaku Amu Rd.
One resident reported that the community-shared library box on Willow Park Drive had been destroyed.
A police spokesperson confirmed that, in some instances, mailboxes had been removed from their posts.
“It is very frustrating and inconvenient for victims and an unnecessary cost for them to bear,” the spokesperson said.
“If any members of the public have concerns or have property damaged, we encourage them to report it to the police.”
It’s not the first time reports of this nature have reared up in the region – one Eketāhuna resident [who asked to remain anonymous] told the Times-Age their mailbox was also knocked off its post recently.
“Ours thankfully actually wasn’t damaged, not like the people this time around,” they said.
“The other thing is that they’re quite expensive mailboxes. They’re over $100, so even just the expense of that is quite pricey.”
The resident believed it could be the same offenders in each incident, noting similar experiences of hearing noisy vehicles nearby during the night.
“It sounds like it’s teenagers or young, early adults. I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s quite childish,” they said.
Eketāhuna sole charge constable Richie Day said he is aware of the latest trail of destruction.
“Willow Park’s been hit a number of times,” Day said.
“It’s definitely not a new thing, it happens all the time, and it might have even been two weekends in a row.”
Day said that night patrol of the areas could be a useful approach should the same areas keep being targeted.
Anyone with information that could assist police [vehicles driven, offender appearances, or suspicious vehicles] is encouraged to reach out.
- Please refer any information to assist the police in the investigation to 230731/8299.
