Following a series of recent vandalism incidents, Summerland mayor Doug Holmes is calling on residents to report incidents and provide information to curb the trend.
In July 2024, the municipality received reports of vandalism to new posts and ropes along trails in Giant’s Head Mountain Park. Then, in August, a resident reported vandalism to a display structure near the Trout Creek trestle bridge. In late August, graffiti was spray-painted on the newly constructed pier at Rotary Beach.
The community, with a population of 12,042 in 2021, is spread out over 74 square kilometres, making it difficult for RCMP and municipal bylaw officers to patrol for vandalism.
“With an increasing number of security cameras, we are better able to identify suspects,” Holmes said in his mayor’s report on Sept. 3. “However, like law enforcement officers, cameras can’t be everywhere.”
He urges members of the public to report incidents of vandalism and to provide information about who is responsible for vandalism in the community.
The Summerland RCMP detachment can be reached by telephone at 250-494-7416. To report an incident through Crime Stoppers, call 1-800-222-9477 (TIPS).
