(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
September 26, 2017 - 7:53 AM
VERNON - Police are stepping up patrols and asking the public to keep an eye out after vandals damaged 83 North Okanagan parking meters in recent weeks.
Vernon RCMP Insp. Gord Stewart says in a release the thieves are going for the coins inside the meters, but are leaving up to $300 damage in the process.
“As the meters are emptied regularly, the value of damage caused by the thieves is far greater than the theft of the coins found inside. Each meter can cost from $25 to $300 to repair,” Stewart says.
Police have increased patrols in downtown Vernon to apprehend the people responsible but are also asking the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious individuals who are believed to be breaking into meters, Stewart says.
It's not the first time Vernon has had trouble with parking meters being vandalized. Since 2015, bylaw officers have been reporting an uptick in the number of meters being targeted.
If you have any information regarding this crime, call the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2017