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Little Red River vandals to pay big fines for their crimes

Feb 9, 2016 | 4:00 PM

Anyone caught tagging or damaging P.A.’s Little Red River Park property will have to cough-up some major cash.

The city has reviewed the current fines because of ongoing vandalism in the park, parks manager Alissa Baker said. The most recent incident incurred $7,500 to $8,000 worth of damage to park property when the gate was rammed.

“Under the current bylaw, offenders are subject to a minimum fine of $25 which doesn’t go a long way to deterring inappropriate activity such as vandalism, trespassing and unsanctioned motorized vehicle use in the park,” Baker said.

She suggested the fines increase to $500 and the city be allowed to charge offenders for damages.

Councillor Rick Orr supported the recommendation, adding it was quite unbelievable people would resort to breaking down the gate to get access to the park after hours.

“We need the public to step up. If they see someone entering, damaging [park property] call our police department. We’ll get police and bylaw there and we’ll increase the capture rate of people damaging our beautiful resource that we have out there,” Orr said.

Coun. Lee Atkinson had concerns about the enforceability of creating such a bylaw, asking staff how many fines were actually doled out by officers.

“We create bylaws to change behaviours we can’t otherwise change. It’s great to have bigger and larger fines but ultimately if no one gets charged, what’s the point,” Atkinson said.

Talk moved to alternate forms of security including concierge services and cameras.

The recommendations will be brought to a future council meeting and an amendment will be made to the existing bylaw.

 

dreynolds@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @danitska