Sheri Bender wants to see an vandalism halted at the Mount Forest arena.
She has recommended that Wellington North council extend its curfew at public parks to include arena properties and that council also consider a loitering bylaw as well.
Bender was at council Monday on behalf of the Mount Forest Agricultural Society about a rash of vandalism at the arena.
During the recent antique show hosted by the agricultural society, graffiti appeared on walls, pumpkins were smashed, and a vendor had his tires slashed.
After contacting OPP she told council she was told there is limited staff to patrol properties.
Bender’s alternative was to come to council asking for a curfew on public property to have people off the grounds during the night.
She specifically mentioned youths being involved in the vandalism.
“The kids are loitering, and there seem be no grounds to have them move on.”
The curfew on public parks covers people 16 and under, and Bender said a loitering bylaw would affect those 16 and older.
Wellington North Recreation Director Linda Spahr said the county OPP have a copy of the township’s curfew as it applies to public parks.
Bender said some of her concerns include if the vandalism will move to the site of the new arena under construction.
Further, she asked what would happen at the old arena after the move is complete and fewer people are around to watch the property.
Deb Shea said the vandalism story at the Mount Forest Fall Fair was more of the same.
There was graffiti, broken beer bottles, picnic tables stacked (possibly to be torched), and a dumpster was set on fire.
“Something has to be done,” Shea said.
Spahr told council she had visited the local police station during the summer regarding similar complaints in Arthur.
At that time, officials told here vandalism seems to run in cycles, with groups of young people travelling from community to community.
“Now, it seems they are videotaping themselves doing the vandalism, and posting it on the internet,” Spahr said.
Mayor Mike Broomhead believes the curfew extension and loitering bylaw are good ideas. He noted the curfew seems to have addressed concerns at the Lions pool over the past two seasons.
Councillor Dan Yake also agreed with the concept, but pointed out the key is still enforcement.
“This vandalism issue is not new,” Yake added. “We need to be diligent.”
If that means sitting down with the OPP to work out a solution, then it will need to be done, he said.
He added that in the past, councillors John Matusinec and Bob Mason, the current recreation committee chairman, have presented ideas to curb vandalism – from curfews to security cameras.
“I, for one, am getting tired of having to deal with vandalism at our community centres,” Yake said. “It’s not an easy problem to curb and the police cannot be everywhere.”
However, Yake said the community needs to be aware of the issue and residents are the ones ultimately paying the price.
“A bylaw by itself is not enough,” Yake said.
