LITTLE CURRENT – Upwards of $5,000 in damages have been made to municipal property in one week’s time in Little Current and with the vandalism comes a loss of facilities.
Last week municipal staff reported that the two basketball nets found at Sisson Park at Low Island had been badly damaged. The vandal(s) had knocked both nets to the ground and then taken a metal pipe to the backboards, smashing them beyond repair.
Then, on Monday, September 9, municipal staff found major damages to the washroom facilities at the Rendezvous Pavilion, located beside the former Kool-It Ice building. Five of the toilets were destroyed as well as sinks and soap dispensers ripped from the walls. The vandal(s) then attempted to light a fire using toilet paper and paper towel inside the washroom.
Officers with the Manitoulin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are investigating the acts of vandalism.
“It’s a sad thing that every time this happens it means facilities lost,” Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin lamented. “It is sad because it sends a message that people can’t respect our facilities and other people suffer because of it.”
The mayor asked the community to keep its eyes and ears open. “That’s the only way we’ll be able to catch these people. It’s the community that’s got to step up, and they’re paying for it too.”
Community Services Officer Constable Marie Ford told The Expositor that while the OPP does not like to generalize when it comes to crime, the chances are good that these crimes were committed by youth.
“It’s important for parents to know where their children are,” she said. “There’s no reason why parents shouldn’t check in with their kids when they’re out and about. We want independent kids too, but we also don’t like seeing these things happen.”
Constable Ford asked that if people see suspicious activity in their community, do not approach the suspects but call the OPP.
“We want to know that information before we hear about it the next day,” she added.
Any person with information regarding the person(s) responsible for these mischiefs should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at to www.SudburyCrimeStoppers.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
