Vandalism a threat to public toilets remaining free to use
Thursday 21st August 2008, 2:29PM BST.
A vandalized toilet. (2W590726)
USING public toilets could soon cost a lot more than the proverbial penny.
The States is considering charging people to use public facilities in order to combat vandalism.
Toilets around the island are repeatedly targeted and repairing the damage is costing tens of thousands of pounds every year, deputy Treasury and Resources minister, Jack Honeybill said.
The toilets in Town, particularly North Beach, are the worst hit.
‘I just despair at times,’ he said.
‘Some people seem to have nothing better to do than smash up public facilities. I don’t know why they do not use that aggression and get in the boxing ring.
‘There are a limited number of toilet facilities in Town and when you have that situation it is not helped that there are a few mindless individuals who do this sort of thing.’
Deputy Honeybill said the possibility of charging people to go to the toilet was something that had been talked about recently.
He said the idea had been put forward as part of Treasury’s ongoing strategy to tackle vandalism.
‘We are thinking about charging people,’ he said. ‘I think it would be a good idea if we found the right premises. The fact you have to pay might stop these people.’
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I don’t see how putting 10 pence in a cubicle is going to stop vandalism. I’d pay 10p to smash up a toilet if that was my thing.
On a more serious note, Deputy Honeybill is right to despair.
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I can’t help it; they’re not very good politicians, but they do make me laugh. and why?
They’ll charge people to use those public toilets, aha!”
So now they break down the doors (causing a lot of damage). then they’ll steal the money (if any) then destroy as before. The only difference
Those jolly old states will now pay them to destroy! Kate Kasrney’s army had nothing on our politicians.
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…….and for those genuine customers caught without a ten pence to hand, more court appearances for urinating in public and more cash in the black hole…you see, there is always method in their madness!
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If it is costing the States ‘tens of thousands of pounds a year’ to mend the vandalised toilets wouldn’t it be a good idea to (finally)spend some of this money on CCTV in the areas/entrances so that those responsible (or their parents)can be caught/convicted/charged instead of yet again penalising the majority of law-abiding Guernsey people?
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