Ards and North Down Borough Councillor Joe Boyle condemned the recent increase in anti0social behaviour in the Portavogie and Ballyhalbert area.
Councillor Boyle said: “The serious anti-social behaviour and vandalism recently highlighted in Portavogie and to a lesser extent in Ballyhalbert and other villages in the Ards Peninsula needs to be met head on within a meaningful and effective process and ultimately eradicated so that the vast majority of residents who are law abiding within these villages can live in peace and quiet and in an environment free from the fear of crime.
“It is not acceptable for elected representatives to continuously sit on their hands either accusing, without evidence of facts, that the issues of concern are being caused by outside elements entering certain villages.
“Recently we have had – with absolutely no evidence, ‘Nationalist/Republican elements’, accused by DUP Ards Peninsula Councillors as being responsible for defacing road signs etc etc in and around Portavogie. They also believe that outside elements are responsible for last weeks attack on a holiday home in Portavogie, which sustained several broken windows.
“Do they also believe that outside elements from neighbouring villages have also been responsible for Translink having to recently withdraw their services from Portavogie due to attacks on their buses resulting in putting their drivers and passengers at risk.
“Do they also believe that the ongoing and wanton destruction and vandalism taking place in playgrounds such as Ballyhalbert and Portavogie are also the actions of young people from neighbouring villages ?
“If they do, they are clearly living on another planet and worse, they are ignoring their responsibilities of their duty of care towards the residents of these communities by not addressing the problem.”
Councillor Boyle added: “It is not acceptable to simply contact the PSNI and expect that they are going to be sitting around every street corner. Elected representatives need to get out on the ground, out amongst the young people, get them thinking about becoming involved with their communities, give them ownership of community initiatives, eradicate the ‘them and us’ thinking and where possible work towards a sustainable approach to a better community, in some cases achieved without the PSNI.
“It is extremely important, however, to forget the irresponsible mindset thinking that others are entering our village and wrecking it, when in many cases the problem is on your own doorstep.
“I am available to assist whoever, whenever and where possible to help build a better Ards Peninsula for everyone living within it and for those visiting the area.”
