'This is highly dangerous': Perth mother sounds warning after vandals target drivers
A driver who was left shaken after a projectile was thrown at her passenger car window, shattering it into thousands of pieces, says those responsible are heartless and could ruin people’s lives.
Susan Hallmond was driving home along Pinjar Road near Tapping after getting petrol on December 16 about 6.15pm when she heard a “gunshot-like sound” as an object smashed into her car.
“I screamed and turned to see my passenger window shattered,” she said. “I pulled over in complete shock and was shaking.
“At first I just sat there covered in glass thinking I had been hit and was looking for blood, thankfully I was okay and just scared.
"I think it was a rock, could have been shot from a sling shot because of the force it hit the window.
"There is a dent in my side panel where it bounced off."
The panicked mother-of-two called her husband and reported the incident to police before a driver pulled over and asked if she had been hit.
“He was chasing two boys who had just hit an elderly woman's car about an hour before, he also reported it,” she said. “I had seen two boys yelling at cars when I was on my way down to get petrol.
“People have been reporting kids aged eight to 16.”
As Ms Hallmond was “covered in glass and shaking in fear” all she could think of was what if one of her children had been sitting in the passenger seat.
“They could have been seriously hurt or have permanent damage, effectively changing their life forever,” she said.
“This is highly dangerous, I could have lost control of my car injuring not only myself but others, even these kids who do this.”
Ms Hallmond said she wanted to warn those responsible for the “stupid act” to realise the potential seriousness of what they were doing.
“You could change a family's life forever because of your heartless, selfish behaviour for what, a few laughs?” she said.
“What if that was someone you knew and loved, a baby, would it be funny then and worth the laughs?
“I want parents to talk to their kids about the ramifications of such behaviour even if they think their kids could never do this, maybe they could stop a friend from doing it.”
Ms Hallmond said part of the issue was roadside bushes that people could hide in and planned to request the City of Wanneroo cut them back.
“I shouldn't have to feel scared in my own neighbourhood to drive down the road,” she said.
“I have a child who is driving now and I'm extremely nervous and scared for him.”
Wanneroo Police have been contacted for comment.