This week's story about disabled Aberglasslyn woman Vicki Shaw, who was abused and egged as she left Aldi Rutherford in her wheelchair, certainly struck a chord with hundreds of our readers.
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Our Facebook page was flooded with messages of support and some of outrage.
On Sunday, six youths aged between 12 and 15 swore at Vicki and called her a whale and a fat cow. They began to moo at her, taunting her about being fat, lazy and to "get out of your chair and walk." Then threw eggs at her.
The incident occurred near Rutherford Skate Park after Vicki had left the adjacent Aldi store.
At 10am today her story had been shared 144 times with 197 people leaving comments.
Among those comments were calls for security guards at the skate park, for the facility to be closed, for the installation of more CCTV and more police patrols.
Police said they attended the scene in response to reports of the egging and spoke to two youths, one of whom was seen with a carton of eggs but disposed of it when they spotted police.
The youths denied throwing eggs and were moved on from the scene.
The officers searched the area and found empty egg cartons and smashed eggs on the ground.
Maitland police officer in charge Inspector Rob Post said police were aware of ongoing antisocial behaviour near the skate park and patrolled the area on a regular basis.
He said the patrols had led to several youth arrests in relation to various matters.
Inspector Post said police would continue to monitor the area in relation to antisocial behaviour.
He appealed for any witnesses who may be able to identify the egg throwers to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Vicki said she has been overwhelmed with the support the community has shown for her.
"It's been outstanding. I feel so lucky to live in such a supportive community, it's just a shame we have those few bad eggs. I really hope they get proper punishment and learn that as a community we will not stand for that sort of behavior," she said.
Maitland City Council's Manager Community and Recreation Laurie D'Angelo, said council is aware of the issue at the site and is currently working with key stakeholders to investigate options to improve safety and surveillance in the skate park area.
The Rutherford shopping precinct is no stranger to anti-social behaviour. In September we reported how attacks and physical abuse against bus drivers in the precinct sparked a ban, by the Transport Workers Union of NSW.
The ban means drivers no longer service the shopping precinct after 5pm.
It comes after a bus driver was punched in the face while outside their vehicle at the layover point at the shopping centre.
