Disrespectful act at ANZAC memorial leaves local community outraged
- Replies 43
Earlier this week, a distressing incident at a war memorial in Western Australia sent shockwaves of outrage throughout the local community. The incident happened just weeks ahead of ANZAC Day.
It resulted in a ruined memorial garden, leaving residents horrified and demanding answers.
The shameful act at an RSL war memorial a couple of days ago left locals reeling, with many admitting to feeling ‘angry and hurt’.
Weeks ahead of ANZAC Day, the Esperance community in Western Australia were shocked to discover their ruined memorial gardens in a seemingly deliberate act of vandalism.
The local community organisers at Esperance shared photos of the incident on social media. In the images, flowers were scattered across the pavement after being ripped from their flower beds nearby. The residents, hurt by the incident, condemned the person responsible in the accompanying post.
‘So, so close to ANZAC Day, and this happens?’ The organisers wrote.
‘The Shire of Esperance work hard with us to make the RSL Memorial Park look the best it can be leading up to ANZAC Day, and then this [happens]!’ they continued.
‘This is sadly an act of total disrespect, disrespect to those that sacrificed so much for our country AND for YOU!!! This hurts our members to the core!’
‘We are angry and hurt and probably going to offend someone. However, that’s nothing on the offence this sick act has caused!’ They shared before adding that the flower beds would be ‘tidied and sorted’ immediately, courtesy of their hardworking crew.
They also asked residents to get in contact with them or the authorities if they knew anything about the perpetrator.
Members of the group expressed their outrage and concerns in the comments section of the post.
‘CCTV has got to be the answer. If you are doing nothing wrong, there is nothing to worry about!’ One wrote.
‘Disgraceful,’ someone else replied.
Another agreed and called it ‘disgusting behaviour’. ‘Time for council to have CCTV installed,’ they added.
‘Surely some of the businesses have CCTV around the area?’ One suggested.
While another commented that the vandaliser must’ve been proud of their ‘achievement’. ‘A proud moment for those brave persons for finding the courage and strength to take on defenceless, dainty little flowers,’ they stated.
Someone shared that they would like to see war veterans sit down with the ‘disrespectful offender’ and tell them ‘exactly what they and their mates gave up for the rights of people’.
‘Frankly, I would like to suggest something more, but I would probably be put in jail,’ they added.
WA Police confirmed that the offender was a woman who has since been arrested and charged. However, no further details were given.
‘The Esperance community were understandably upset with the total disrespect & damage caused to the RSL Memorial Park. Please be advised that @EsperancePol arrested and charged a female with Criminal Damage on the day of the incident,’ the authorities shared on their official Facebook page.
According to Section 444 of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913, ‘any person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages any property is guilty of a crime’. In WA, getting charged with Criminal Damage is an ‘either way’ offence, which means that the offender can either be dealt with a summary jurisdiction or on indictment.
The maximum penalty for criminal damage in WA is 14 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $36,000.
Many Facebook users still expressed outrage over the incident. Some wanted the offender to be punished and made to ‘buy more plants’ and ‘replant them’ personally. ‘Shameful what she has done,’ one added.
Meanwhile, the community organisers at Esperance RSL thanked the police for their immediate action.
‘The Esperance RSL would like to thank the [WA Police Force] for their immediate action in dealing with this incident over what was a very busy weekend for them,’ they said in a separate Facebook post.
They continued: ‘Thank you also to the Shire of Esperance and community members that worked towards tidying the area, a spot of gardening and offering support. To the [broader] community, thank you for your support and kind words. We look forward to seeing you all on ANZAC Day.’
We thank those who have fought and continue to fight for our nation and ask our members to take a moment this ANZAC Day to appreciate their efforts and reflect on their important contributions.
Do you have anything to say to the disrespectful vandal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
It resulted in a ruined memorial garden, leaving residents horrified and demanding answers.
The shameful act at an RSL war memorial a couple of days ago left locals reeling, with many admitting to feeling ‘angry and hurt’.
Weeks ahead of ANZAC Day, the Esperance community in Western Australia were shocked to discover their ruined memorial gardens in a seemingly deliberate act of vandalism.
The local community organisers at Esperance shared photos of the incident on social media. In the images, flowers were scattered across the pavement after being ripped from their flower beds nearby. The residents, hurt by the incident, condemned the person responsible in the accompanying post.
ANZAC Day is just weeks away. Credit: Australian War Memorial
‘So, so close to ANZAC Day, and this happens?’ The organisers wrote.
‘The Shire of Esperance work hard with us to make the RSL Memorial Park look the best it can be leading up to ANZAC Day, and then this [happens]!’ they continued.
‘This is sadly an act of total disrespect, disrespect to those that sacrificed so much for our country AND for YOU!!! This hurts our members to the core!’
‘We are angry and hurt and probably going to offend someone. However, that’s nothing on the offence this sick act has caused!’ They shared before adding that the flower beds would be ‘tidied and sorted’ immediately, courtesy of their hardworking crew.
They also asked residents to get in contact with them or the authorities if they knew anything about the perpetrator.
Members of the group expressed their outrage and concerns in the comments section of the post.
‘CCTV has got to be the answer. If you are doing nothing wrong, there is nothing to worry about!’ One wrote.
‘Disgraceful,’ someone else replied.
Another agreed and called it ‘disgusting behaviour’. ‘Time for council to have CCTV installed,’ they added.
The flower beds were destroyed. Credit: Esperance RSL WA/Facebook
‘Surely some of the businesses have CCTV around the area?’ One suggested.
While another commented that the vandaliser must’ve been proud of their ‘achievement’. ‘A proud moment for those brave persons for finding the courage and strength to take on defenceless, dainty little flowers,’ they stated.
Someone shared that they would like to see war veterans sit down with the ‘disrespectful offender’ and tell them ‘exactly what they and their mates gave up for the rights of people’.
‘Frankly, I would like to suggest something more, but I would probably be put in jail,’ they added.
WA Police confirmed that the offender was a woman who has since been arrested and charged. However, no further details were given.
‘The Esperance community were understandably upset with the total disrespect & damage caused to the RSL Memorial Park. Please be advised that @EsperancePol arrested and charged a female with Criminal Damage on the day of the incident,’ the authorities shared on their official Facebook page.
According to Section 444 of the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913, ‘any person who wilfully and unlawfully destroys or damages any property is guilty of a crime’. In WA, getting charged with Criminal Damage is an ‘either way’ offence, which means that the offender can either be dealt with a summary jurisdiction or on indictment.
The maximum penalty for criminal damage in WA is 14 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $36,000.
The offender was quickly apprehended after the incident. Credit: Esperance RSL WA/Facebook
Many Facebook users still expressed outrage over the incident. Some wanted the offender to be punished and made to ‘buy more plants’ and ‘replant them’ personally. ‘Shameful what she has done,’ one added.
Meanwhile, the community organisers at Esperance RSL thanked the police for their immediate action.
‘The Esperance RSL would like to thank the [WA Police Force] for their immediate action in dealing with this incident over what was a very busy weekend for them,’ they said in a separate Facebook post.
They continued: ‘Thank you also to the Shire of Esperance and community members that worked towards tidying the area, a spot of gardening and offering support. To the [broader] community, thank you for your support and kind words. We look forward to seeing you all on ANZAC Day.’
Do you have anything to say to the disrespectful vandal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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