Staff presented a resolution regarding vandalism at River Mill Park at the September 9 council meeting. The resolution sought council approval to proceed with costing for surveillance cameras and other measures, such as more lighting, to mitigate the problem.
“I can’t believe this is still happening in this day and age – the way some people act,” said Councillor Monty Clouthier. He said lighting, particularly around the washroom area, would be important given how poor video from surveillance cameras can be. He said more lighting will hopefully mean better images of the perpetrators.
Councillor Jason FitzGerald urged community members to talk to one another and educate those who would commit acts of vandalism. “We spend so much money on vandalism repairs and just careless things getting broken. So, it’s about public education and sharing with your neighbours and family that this costs us money. You know, let’s stop it.”
Prompted by a question from Councillor Cory Clarke, who wanted to know when the funds would be spent and where they would come from, Huntsville Clerk Tanya Calleja said she believes about $80,000 had already been set aside in the capital budget for this year. That number was confirmed by the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer Julia McKenzie.
Staff is expected to bring back a future report on the matter to council.
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The Real Person!
The Real Person!
This has to happen. It was with great relief that the new lighting was installed after a couple weeks of total darkness. However, some lights are very dim and do not give off much light at all. As mentioned, increased lighting with better surveillance video would do wonders to reduce any vandalism, including entrances to the park when potential vandals do not hood-up. Cost savings over time would be substantial IMO. My window overlooks the park and I must say that town staff do an excellent job of keeping it up. It would be a shame if their excellent efforts are not reinforced with due diligence.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
What happened with the vandelizum proof washrooms?
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Maybe a little more police presence would help. Especially foot patrol like the early days community based policing went by the way of the dodo bird it seems!!
Allen Markle says
I think most people realised the new washroom would have a bullseye on it. Vandal ‘proof’ makes it a challenge for the mental midgets. There were comments to the effect that video surveillance should be installed and I can’t imagine why motion sensor lighting and CCTV hasn’t been part of the package. Council might not like to spend the bucks, but it’s obvious you better defend what you have.
And to figure that it will all be cleared up by talking to people to ‘educate’ them is a bit of a reach. Some of these miscreants may be educated already but once ‘hanging’ with a few who just don’t care, they are subjected to the herd mentality.
Some children will damage or destroy their own toys. They will generally outgrow the compulsion. But we are dealing with people who are not children and could care less about what other people might take pride in. Destruction of something of someone else’s will occupy them for only a few moments. Deal with them or they will keep trashing whatever they are passing at the moment.
The Vandals were around for 600 years ’til they were subjugated by the Eastern Roman Empire. The Romans are gone now. We will have to deal with these present day goons ourselves.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Here’s a novel idea: Get the police to patrol more often!!