ALOR STAR : THE Alor Star City Council is fighting a losing battle in the war against vandalism here.

The social menace had cost the council RM500,000 in repairs and replacing of public properties.

The council planning and corporate communication director Bohari Md Yusof said vandalism was not only confined to the capital city of Kedah but cities as well as towns in the state.

“This rampant spree of vandalism and destruction of council property had forced the council to rake up more than half a million for this year alone.

“The lack of awareness and shared responsibility in the community over public facilities could lead to problems that will affect others.?”

Bohari said the council had organised various programmes targeting city folk over the years and the response has been lukewarm.

“The programmes are aimed at creating awareness among the public on the negative effects of vandalism.”

Bohari added that public phones, fire hydrants, garbage bins, lifts, parking meters, bus shelters, public signboards and public toilets were targets.

“Apart from that, vandalism in the city include illegal adverts, stickers and banners that are pasted on public properties, especially at the bus station and on lamp posts.

“We also have received a number of reports on the damage of playgrounds and drainage covers in the city,?” he added.

A Streets check found that a playground swing in Taman Merdeka was missing and a pedestrian bridge in Mentaloon was in poor condition because of vandalism.

There were also unlicensed money lenders that put up flyers, banners and posters on public property around the city.

Bohari said the council was serious about this matter and hope the public would not take the matter lightly.

“All of us are responsible in ensuring that public facilities are used properly to avoid any untoward incident and inconvenience to the public,” he said.

-NST