One of many recent targets at the hands of vandals. (Submitted/ KD Peters)

By Nigel Maxwell

Vandals

Vehicle owners in Prince Albert call for answers as crime wave continues

Dec 15, 2022 | 8:40 AM

Frustration is boiling over amongst vehicle owners in Prince Albert, after weeks of incidents involving windows getting smashed.

In some cases, the same person has been hit two or three times, and therefore forced to pay out multiple time for premiums. All at a time when budgets are tight for Christmas. Over the past year, Katrina Peters has had over $20,000 damage done to her truck, SUV and car.

“Whoever is responsible needs to stop. Whether it’s for fun or whatever their intentions are it’s no longer a joke and its costing everyone money including our insurance premiums,” she said.

Peters explained the truck windows were the biggest inconvenience because it took five weeks to get the full repairs done, plus she had to drive to Saskatoon because the truck had to be transferred.

While theft has been involved with many incidents, others appear to have been strictly done for the purpose of smashing something. (Submitted photo)

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When paNOW reached out to local glass repair shops, they all reported spikes in the number of customers coming in for help. Shelley Gordon, Owner of 6th Ave. Car Wash and Auto Glass, noted how despite the obvious negative impact these incidents have had on people, all their customers have been respectful and appreciative.

“It’s just a nice thing to see that people actually appreciate a business helping them, when they are being really disadvantaged by crime within our city,” she said.

Meanwhile Dave Koppelaar, Owner of Ben’s Auto Glass, said there have been people coming into this shop, crying.

“They don’t have the money this time of year to fix this,” he said, adding his belief there needs to be more of a deterrent for those responsible. “When these people get caught, they’re out tomorrow and they are out busting windows again”

Estimating he personally has changed 35 to 40 windows in the past four to five days alone, Koppelaar added he’s been busy sourcing door glass from three different suppliers, and parking cars in the shop at night.

“We’ve been doing eight to 10 door glasses a day and my guys are staying late to get these things done as quickly as we can get them,” he said.

While the vandalism has been city wide, there have been a number in Prince Albert’s Midtown. Ward 3 Councillor Tony Head said the crimes have to stop.

“These individuals are causing a lot of unrest and anger within our neighbourhood. I’ve reached out repeatedly to our police services, requesting more patrols, more visibility in midtown and Ward 3 (19th and 20th has been targeted as well), more of a response,” he said.

Head cited one resident wants to sue the city, feeling like not enough is happening to protect neighbourhoods. One person who recently commented on the Midtown Neighbourhood Watch page, suggested she was taking matters into her own hands and would have a bat waiting for the next person who messes with her yard or vehicles.

“It’s all very frustrating that a few individuals can create so much havoc and haven’t been caught yet. There has been glimpses of people on residents cameras. I hope this helps and leads to a conviction,” he said.

On Dec. 6, when police released their initial report on the vandalisms, they encouraged home owners to watch for and report suspicious activity.

A spokesperson for the Prince Albert Police Service informed paNOW the proactive policing unit, along with patrols are actively investigating, adding there’s multiple files and they are looking for trends.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell