HOPSCOTCH restaurant owners have backed council’s call for more security measures to be added to the Tamworth Regional Playground.
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A recent council report called for about $65,000 worth of measures to be adopted to combat ongoing anti-social behaviour.
But one owner said the playground needs to be maintained as a bridge-builder in the wider Tamworth community.
“It's a showcase for Tamworth and everyone is watching,” Hopscotch co-owner Jay Lynch said.
“People who come to the cafe tell us, ‘we wish we had something like this in our town’.”
Mr Lynch said maintaining the security of the playground was an ongoing process.
“It's a process involving council, the police, our business and other nearby businesses,” he said.
“We would welcome additional security.”
Hopscoth cafe was targeted in a break-in in early June, this year.
The restaurant's CCTV footage was handed over to police, who were able to make an arrest on the day, thanks to the footage.
"That was an excellent result all round. Great security work and great policing," Mr Lynch said at the time.
Mr Lynch commented anti-social behaviour had died down in recent months.
But the restaurant owner said it could be down to the colder weather and anticipated that warmer weather would see more people out later at night.
Hopscotch co-owner Dwone ‘DJ’ Jones said the playground would be a key piece of infrastructure in “building bridges” between Tamworth communities.
“It’s positive that we have a place where kids can go and be safe, the issue is when they start tearing up the place,” Mr Jones said.
“We want to give kids the freedom.”
Tamworth Regional Council passed the motion to bolster security at the playground at their ordinary meeting on Tuesday night.
Cr Juanita Wilson endorsed the move and said it was important to put measures in place to keep the facility open 24 hours a day.
Cr Wilson said despite discontent and “flack” copped on social media calling for a fence around the playground, it was a statement to keep it available to the public.
Deputy mayor and crime prevention committee chair Russell Webb said it was necessary to invest extra funds into the playground to keep it secure.