The Mandurah Mail has received a letter from a person taking responsibility for damaging a string of roadside memorials erected to pay tribute to loved ones killed in car accidents - with the perpetrator saying they plan to "continue".
Local victims have spoken out about their crosses being damaged or removed from the roadside.
Falcon resident Lorraine Martin, who lost both parents in a car crash in 2005, told the Mail in February she was "heartbroken" after a person continuously removed or damaged her mother and father's memorial.
Ms Martin said there was no point in replacing the cross if the person was going to remove it again.
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Another Mandurah resident took to social media in April to express her frustration after her relative's cross was dug up, with the perpetrator leaving a note that read, 'This is not a cemetary (sic). No crosses'.
The Mail has received a letter from a nameless person who has claimed responsibility for the incidents and has expressed their strongly-held views on the matter.
"If these people need to think of their parents, tell them to look at old pictures and photos," the note reads.
And by the way, I kicked the cross out - I didn't dig it out.
"Crosses belong in cemeteries and churches - not in the street. If everyone did this, what would the place look like?
"Authorities should not allow this to happen anywhere."
The person said they were not stopping.
"I will continue to take out any other crosses that I pass," they said.
"I don't mind the flowers. And by the way, I kicked the cross out - I didn't dig it out."
Roadside memorials are legal in Western Australia.
I will continue to take out any other crosses that I pass.
Main Roads WA supports roadside memorials if they do not pose a physical risk or major distraction to road users, according to a spokesman.
"Main Roads wants to work with the families and friends who have lost loved ones on the road network and encourage them to contact us for assistance in placing a roadside memorial," he said.
"Small white crosses are provided free of charge."
The spokesman said there were about 400 registered memorials state-wide.
Main Roads WA has detailed guidelines to take into account prior to erecting a roadside memorial, including size and colour specifications, minimum distances crosses should be from the road and how to stay safe when visiting the memorial.
Main Roads WA will assist the installation of memorials, but does not accept responsibility for its security or maintenance.
For more information on policy and guidelines visit: Policy and Guidelines Roadside Memorials.
What do you think on roadside memorials? Send us a letter to editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
