A can of spray paint or a permanent marker may only cost a few dollars, but the marks they leave behind add up to much more.
Between May 1 and 3, graffiti vandals “caused extensive damage” to the Gibsons and Area Community Centre at 700 Park Rd. during the late evening and early morning hours, Sunshine Coast RCMP said in a news release Tuesday.
The cost is estimated to total more than $5,000, and taxpayers will be paying the bill. In an email, the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s (SCRD) general manager of planning and development Ian Hall told Coast Reporter that the estimate is based on staff time required for cleaning and repainting, and the materials required.
“A large area needed to be cleaned and/or repainted,” Hall said.
“SCRD is fortunate that, in general, community members show respect for public parks and recreation facilities. We remove minor graffiti from time to time; this case was exceptional in its scale.”
The police have released photos of graffiti found on SCRD facilities and parks, including the Gibsons and Area Community Centre. They are asking the public for help identifying who may be responsible, and to contact them with any relevant information at 604-885-2266.
“We are confident there is a teacher, a parent or friend who will recognize the initials, drawings or style of the tags, and we hope that they come forward with information to assist us in our investigation,” Const. Karen Whitby said.
In a press release from the SCRD, Hall said, “This is not where we want to see tax dollars spent. We are grateful that the Sunshine Coast RCMP are actively looking into this vandalism and hope that it will stop in the near future.”
