Council rangers patrolling a residential area for illegal campers were assaulted by a tourist last week and threatened with a steering column lock.
About 7.50am last Tuesday, November 21, two Byron Shire Council Rangers were patrolling Cowper Street, Byron Bay, moving on illegal campers from the area.
The rangers spoke to a 29-year-old male from Frankston in Victoria.
During that conversation, it is alleged the 29-year-old man held a steering column lock and pointed it to one of the rangers in a threatening manner.
Police arrived shortly later and alleged the 29-year-old male made threats to harm the rangers in their presence.
The man was charged with assaulting a law officer and stalking/intimidating. He was bailed to appear before the Byron Bay Local Court on the December 7.
Council Rangers tread a precarious path between community service and law enforcement. Breaching a council sign or thumbing your nose at a the dog control laws are generally not crimes you go to gaol for. Therefore the job of enforcement at this level requires perspective, commonsense and sensitivity in order to avoid physical violence and verbal abuse. So next time you see a Ranger confronting an illegal camper or irresponsible dog owner have a thought for the difficulty of the work.
What about buskers without permits ?
They’re on every street corner of byron.
Why don’t they stop them also?