Glass problem cuts deep

By Paul Dunlop
TERRY and Eileen Carter’s pet dog Katie badly cut her foot on glass that was smashed on a Pakenham footpath.
Now the Carters have joined a growing number of residents angry at a dangerous problem across town.
The Gazette last week reported that shards of glass strewn over footpaths by vandals breaking bottles had prompted some residents to take matters into their own hands.
Pakenham man David Fairweather, 83, said he started carrying a broom on his trips around town after one of the tyres on his motorised scooter was punctured recently.
Mrs Carter said Katie, a golden retriever, had to wear a bandage and was unable to walk for two weeks after cutting the footpad on her left front leg.
Katie trod on glass near the Carters’ home in Duncan Drive.
“I walk her every morning for an hour and when we got home there was blood on the floor,” Mrs Carter said.
“We’re always dodging glass. I’ve been saying for months that the glass is getting worse.”
Noel Adams, of Pakenham, also contacted the Gazette after reading last week’s report (Broken bottle binge, 21 February). He said he had lived in the town for almost 20 years and believed the situation was getting worse.
“It’s a real problem. I like to take my dogs for a walk and we’re always stepping past glass,” he said.
Mothers with prams, children on bikes and elderly residents on motorised scooters all say they are suffering from the problem.
Keen cyclist Ray Henderson said he got a puncture last week and was “forever” biking past glass on the pavement.
“Kids just pick up bottles and smash them to bits,” he said.
Cardinia Shire Council manager of governance and communications Doug Evans said the council was aware of the problem and had bought a special pavement sweeper to clean up the glass.