Sydenham youths ‘just having fun’

Press, 3 June 1989, Page 1

Sydenham youths ‘just having fun’

By NEIL CLARKSON A member of the Cass Street car enthusiasts blamed for continuing vandalism has defended the group, saying they gather because of their interest in vehicles and the “fun of the moment.”

Residents and business people in the Sydenham area told a public meeting on Thursday about week-end vandalism in the area, including smashed bottles, broken windows, human excrement, and oil strewn on the road.

The man, aged in his early 30s, who did not wish to be named, said that some group members had caused damage. He said he could not accept the group members were responsible for the dozens of window breakages described in yesterday’s edition of “The Press.”

It was possible some spectators were to blame.

“We can’t control the spectators, although we do try to keep things quiet,” he said. The man said the group, with members aged from 12 to 40, gathered in the Cass Street area

mostly on Friday nights, with fewer on Saturday nights. He said 50 cars might cruisethe inner city, with perhaps 10 to 15 gathered in the area at any one time.

“I once saw up to 80 people playing softball at 2 a.m.” Those who gathered were friends, drawn together by a common interest in vehicles. Cass Street was considered a good gathering spot. He said it was close to the city centre, had a nearby food bar open until late, offered a good road surface and was used little by traffic late at night. Sometimes they met in Maces Road, Bromley, and another site was being considered in the Halswell area, he said. He said there were occasional race sprints the length of Cass Street and oil was poured on the road to smoke-up tyres. Group members were concerned about the publicity, said the man.

“We think this is totally unfair. We are responsible. We may be idiots, but we are safe ones.”

He believed the police took the wrong attitude towards them, ordering people in legally parked vehicles to move on. The police patrols passed regularly — often every 15 minutes.

He considered most of those involved would be prepared to meet Christchurch City Council staff to discuss the situation.

Superintendent Michael Tarling, of the Christchurch police, said gatherings in Cass Street were a problem even when he came to Christchurch in 1972.

The police and Ministry of Transport had held joint efforts in the past to clear the area.

“It would die down for a while and then they would creep back slowly.” The police were aware of the problems faced by local people. Mr Tarling said that the biggest problem faced by the police was getting evidence of who had caused any given damage. The police, which did not have a representative at the public meeting, were unaware it was on, he said.