Father of six-year-old rock throwing victim wants to see parents and offenders held accountable when caught

The father of a six-year-old rock-throwing victim said culprits need to be held accountable, believing many of them are escaping punishment when caught. Blair Lavender has spoken out after Geraldton police announced a prevention action plan to tackle rock-throwing. Mr Lavender said police were doing “the best they can”, but greater consequences were called for. The father was driving his daughter Isabella home after horseriding lessons when four boys targeted his car with a ging on Abraham Street in Karloo last month, launching a rock the size of two marbles. Isabella was left with cuts and bruises, but was not seriously injured. The police prevention plan was launched last Wednesday and will see heightened foot and vehicle patrols, drone surveillance, education and public awareness programs, mental health support and calls for stricter penalties. Mr Lavender sat down with Mid West Gascoyne Superintendent Steve Post and officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Chris Martin to share insight into his experience and help guide the plan. Sen. Sgt Martin said police have seized more than 150 homemade gings in the past year and rock-throwing has “plagued the community” for too long. Mr Lavender, a volunteer ambulance officer, wants to see bushland cleared at the locations frequented by offenders, and special interest taken in bridges and overpasses, as well as greater consequences when perpetrators were caught. “When the police catch them, nothing’s being done to them. There needs to be some kind of accountability for kids and parents too. Instead of paying people to clean toilets, or graffiti or pick up rubbish then maybe that’s what these kids need to do,” he said. Drone surveillance seems the most promising new measure for the local dad, who hopes it will help in monitoring hotspots and alert the police when there is suspicious activity. Part of the plan will see a video played in schools to help educate students on the impact of rock-throwing and the associated consequences of the senseless crime. “I don’t think these kids would even be going to school. Rock-throwing is happening during the week, during school hours so they won’t even be there to watch it,” he said. “If I don’t send my kids to school, I’ve got people ringing me asking me where they are — is the same happening to these kids?” Worried for others safety, Mr Lavender wants the problem to be taken care of but understands the police have other roles in the community. “There’s only so many police and when you live in a town like Geraldton there is other issues 24/7, so this is the last thing they need to be doing. You can’t blame the police, we need to be looking to the parents of these kids,” he said. Mr Lavender paid $900 to repair his car window, but said the main concern was ensuring people could drive around Geraldton without fearing for their safety. Wanting to see justice for his daughter, Mr Lavender is also keen to ensure no one else has to endure the same experience as his family. “Physically her cuts have healed, but mentally she’s still very shaken. Being in the car is fine, but driving around town and walking past other kids she tends to grip us very tight,” he said.