Image Credit: wikipedia.org
February 13, 2019 - 5:30 PM
WEST KELOWNA - West Kelowna's park operations facility is a prime target for thieves and vandals. The building has endured five break-ins so far in 2019, already matching the total number from 2018.
A recommendation from Chief Financial Officer Warren Everton to West Kelowna council yesterday, Feb. 12, stated the operations facility at the 3700 block of Elliott Road, which offers supplies and storage space for the City, saw five break-ins in January.
In the report, RCMP described the number of break-ins as unprecedented.
Thieves and vandals have dealt $12,000 worth of damage to the facility with repeated attacks last month. The report said fences have been cut, sheds destroyed, locks snapped, and chains and hand tools have been stolen.
There were five break-ins at the facility in 2018, as thieves broke windows and stole power tools and fuel, costing the City another $10,000.
Chief Administrative Officer Jim Zaffino said the thieves usually avoid the cameras positioned around the facility, allowing them to elude capture. He said one thief was caught on camera, which led to an arrest.
Zaffino thinks cameras work, which is why he's authorized the addition of multiple cameras in the facility's blindspots.
The project's funding, totalling $12,000, received approval from West Kelowna city council yesterday, Feb. 12. The project is expected to be funded from reserves.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Sean Mott or call (250) 864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2019