Edmonton police are investigating after homes, vehicles and at least 30 bus shelters were found damaged in the west end Friday morning.
Police believe the vandalism happened overnight. Officers said it appears the suspect(s) used rocks to shatter windows of bus shelters, vehicles and homes.
“We get mischiefs pretty much on a daily basis but not on a scale like this where it spans all across a whole area of the city,” Const. Brad Marshman with the Edmonton Police Service said.
Marshman said the damage spans from 149 Street to 178 Street, and from Callingwood Road to Stony Plain Road.
Ginger Poetz lives in the Laurier Heights neighbourhood. Her husband looked out their front window this morning and noticed the back window of her Jeep was completely smashed.
“It’s hurtful. I don’t know why anybody would want to go and damage someone’s personal property. For what good reason? There really isn’t one,” Poetz said.
“It’s reasonably a good neighbourhood. It was pretty shocking to see.”
Poetz said she found a large rock in her SUV, which she believes was used to do the damage. Shattered glass was spewed throughout the vehicle, all the way onto the front dash.
“It’s a pretty big mess.”
Each pane of glass is worth $500. Taxpayers will be on the hook to foot the bill, as it is City of Edmonton property that was damaged.
Counc. Andrew Knack calls the vandalism concerning and disappointing.
“It’s rather confusing. I can’t even begin to comprehend why somebody would do something like that,” he said. “I think they need to be held accountable for their actions.
“It costs money every time these shelters are smashed,” he continued. “That’s money that could go to enhancing bus service for people that need it… because of the selfish actions of, I’m guessing a few individuals, now it’s something we don’t get to do.”
Police are receiving help from the Edmonton Transit System in the investigation. Anyone who noticed anything suspicious or may have surveillance footage is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567.
Crews were out working to clean up the mess and repair the damage Friday.
Comments