ABOVE: Some dog owners are feeling they are being unfairly targeted by the city. Doug Vaessen reports.
CALGARY – City staff are beefing up security at a southwest park to curb ongoing incidents of vandalism.
The damage has occurred as City of Calgary employees work to complete a $6 million remediation project in River Park, Sandy Beach and along the Britannia Slopes as outlined in the council-approved Combined Park Management and Design Development Plan.
“Since beginning this work, The City has been experiencing, and continues to experience, significant damage and vandalism to City and contractor property,” said the City of Calgary.
It’s because of these incidents that security cameras have been installed in the park, with the hope of preventing further damage and vandalism.
The city says the cameras will be adjusted and configured so that they will not record any nearby housing and/or private property.
Last year, Britannia Community president Tim Taylor spoke about alarming reports of vandalism and violence in the community’s fall newsletter.
“I was recently contacted by our Calgary Police liaison officer, Matt Forest, regarding harassment of City employees working on the remediation of the Britannia slopes,” explained Taylor.
“Constable Forest and board members have been informed of rocks being thrown at workers and their equipment, unkind and inappropriate words spoken to City employees, and of vandalism and graffiti.”
READ MORE: Rocks thrown at city workers building controversial fence in Britannia
Since then, the issues appear to have continued, with a post on the City of Calgary’s website complaining of “escalating incidents of park vandalism, destruction of construction equipment and supplies and abusive behaviour to City contractors and employees.”
As a result, the City of Calgary’s Animal Bylaw Services is also patrolling the area.
City officials anticipate having all of the remediation work completed by the end of 2016.
Until then, anyone who witnesses destructive or suspicious behaviour, please report it to Calgary Police Services by calling their non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.
Watch below: City staff will be beefing up security at a southwest park where angry residents reportedly pelted City of Calgary employees with rocks. Jenna Freeman reports.
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