Three Mooroopna businesses on McLennan St recently suffered damages to their windows, causing frustration and costly repairs for the owners.
Despite the misfortune, one employee has remained optimistic about the situation.
The windows at Peter’s Fish Shop, women’s clothing store Givoni and one other Mooroopna restaurant on the same street (the owners did not want their business identified), suffered damage late on Sunday night, May 19.
The owner of Peter’s Fish Shop, George Kontakos, expressed frustration at the attacks.
“We had two windows smashed in. It’s just sad. It costs a lot of money to get the windows fixed,” he said.
Having operated a family-owned takeaway store in Mooroopna for over 40 years, the family have seen a lot from their spot on the corner of McLennan and Mill Sts.
“It feels like kids are starting off younger and younger doing bad things. Dad’s been here 40 years, and he’s never seen anything like it,” Mr Kontakos said.
About five years ago, the business suffered a break-in.
He suggested changes be made to the main street to prevent repeat incidents and ensure business owners could feel secure at night.
“We need more lighting and cameras in these hot zones,” he said.
“It’s just so dark at night. It feels like people don’t care.”
Givoni suffered damage to one of its windows.
Employee Belinda de Waal acknowledged the financial impact of the vandalism but sought to reassure people that the incidents did not reflect Mooroopna as a town.
“It’s difficult organising insurance and getting a new window fitted and installed. That has been hard on the owner,” Mrs de Waal said.
“However, these things will happen anywhere you live. It happens in any town, no matter how small.
“My general feeling is that Mooroopna is a beautiful, peaceful town, and I feel safe here. Don’t let (incidents like these) put you off.”
The other restaurant suffered damages to glass panels at the seating area out the front of the store.
Unrelated to the Mooroopna incidents, a business in New Dookie Rd, Shepparton, also recently suffered damage to its windows, which was suspected to have been caused by golf balls the owners had been finding in the backyard of their shop and neighbouring businesses.
The shop owners are appealing to the public to not hit golf balls near businesses.
They ask that parents talk to their children about the risk of causing damage to buildings in the area if they are playing golf in parkland or their backyards.
• If you witness any suspicious behaviour, phone the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.