The War Memorial at the Veterans Memorial gardens (Photo: Shaun Penner)

By Liam Verster

Thefts and Vandilism

Support being sought for enhanced security at the Veterans Memorial Gardens

Nov 3, 2020 | 1:21 PM

After suffering a number of thefts of building materials, compounded with acts of vandalism and drug paraphernalia being left behind, the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association is seeking support to enhance security at the Veterans Memorial Gardens and Interpretive Centre.

CMTA is the not-for-profit organization that established the Memorial Gardens, and on Monday, Renee Charbonneau, Executive Director of the CMTA and Project Lead on the Memorial Gardens, went to City Council to ask for support in improving security.

She says there has been a recent string of thefts from the Gardens.

“For example, we had a load of OSB (plywood) delivered and donated by Norbord. We had it all banded and somebody [came] along and cut the banding and took the top eight sheets. So, then we put the skid steer in front of it and the bucket and everything to try to prevent [more thefts], but then somebody tried to remove the door right off the skid steer,” says Charbonneau.

She says another recent incident happened just after the last snow fall as fresh concrete had been poured, and hundreds of dollars worth of tarps that were laid on top of the fresh cement were stolen, adding that it may have also led to the concrete itself being damaged in the process.

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Local History

Oliver's Funeral Home - 109 years of Service

Sep 04, 2024

Charbonneau says they’ve also had issues with children and youth allegedly destroy building materials.

Charbonneau says it’s especially disappointing to have to deal with these acts this time of year, with Remembrance Day just around the corner.

“It’s discouraging, especially since we have so many of our soldier’s stories already out in the gardens. We’ve got the war monument, it’s not like people don’t understand what that represents.”

Charbonneau took her concerns to City Council on Monday, asking for some support to improve security in the area and reduce the number of these incidents. Council took the presentation for information, but Charbonneau says some immediate action is being taken.

“The good news is Councillor Chris Thiesen, good to his word, reached out to me, we’re going to have a meeting and who knows what other resources the City might have up their sleeves that they can bring to bear.”

She says there may be something through the City’s security department, or some sort of grant they could apply for, which would help them improve security around the gardens.

Meanwhile, work is underway to raise funds, which will be used to build an extra storage shed, though Charbonneau says even a locked door won’t keep out the most desperate individuals.

Along with discussing some security solutions with the City, Charbonneau plans on trying to work with Citizens on Patrol to have extra eyes on the lookout.

“If we could supply like a guard shed, for example, where they could come in, fill out their reports, warm up, have a cup of tea or a cup of coffee, then we would benefit from having all of those people coming in and out of the property all night long. That kind of randomness of people coming in and out hopefully would slow things down.”

Plans are in the works to put together some other fundraisers to help replace the current fence, but in the meantime Charbonneau asks that people come and visit the gardens, as if there are more people around, it might deter those who are there to steal.