STAFF REPORTERS
When it comes to expressing disgust at acts of vandalism our youngest citizens are out on their own.
A recent window-smashing attack on Havelock North Primary School saw Hawke's Bay Today's office flooded with letters from Rooms 2 and 1B - citizens as young as five years old. The emotions
were raw, wide-ranging, spine-tingling, angry, disdainful and fearful.
They were also blunt and to the point, none more so than a single letter from an older child, 8-year-old Ella Hoogerbrug.
``We don't need evil twits smashing windows,' she said. Havelock North Primary School principal Paul Bremer said the ``gut-wrenching' ramifications of the 31 windows smashed were still being felt by the school.
``We had a board meeting last night and feelings were still running pretty high,' he said.
``We've just received the quote for the damage - $2650 - so we're obviously very annoyed at having to pay for such a mindless act.'
The school is now talking with Hastings District Council about installing security cameras.
``Our property borders the council-owned dell at the back of Havelock North Library.
``Ordinarily, we welcome public utilisation of our property; we'd hate for it to come down to erecting a fence which would stop the flow between the school and the rest of the village.'
Hawke's Bay Primary Principals' Association president Michael Bain said schools were increasingly having to invest ``sizeable amounts' of money to protect themselves.
``There's been a big escalation in incidents of vandalism, graffiti and general destruction,' he said.
``Schools are fighting a continuous battle. Some are, in fact, taking extreme measures by investing in private security firms to deter vandals at night. It's a real struggle.'
Hastings Police confirmed today that no charges had been laid for the recent attack.
