Two Chatham-Kent (CK) councillors are looking into added efforts to curb vandalism within the municipality.
At Monday night's council meeting, Councilors Anthony Ceccacci and Carmen McGregor brought forward Notices of Motion requesting that staff prepare reports on vandalism.
If Ceccacci's motion is approved, staff will highlight areas of concern in the municipality and provide potential placement for additional CCTV cameras. The report would look into Erieau and Mitchells Bay, as well as areas that see a large influx of people and continued vandalism.
"I think we need to do more to protect our municipal assets," said Ceccacci.
He noted that the public Bathrooms at Erieau are damaged significantly every year, and it's disheartening.
In addition to new CCTV placements, he is also hoping for more information on estimated costs, funding opportunities, and any privacy or operational considerations.
"I think that any time you have a state-of-the-art camera that's able to solve crimes in the area and people are knowledgeable about that, it's going to make people very apprehensive of being a delinquent," Ceccacci continued.
McGregor's notice focuses on a single municipal infrastructure project.
She's hoping for a report on beefing up security at the L.O. Stonehouse Memorial Walking Bridge in Wallaceburg, after it was allegedly vandalized twice since major repairs were completed.
She added that when municipal infrastructure is vandalized, it costs taxpayers money, disrupts public access, and impacts community events and services.
"One way or another, no matter what our decision is, we need to understand the cost every time something like this happens," said McGregor. "It's not even just the cost of the repair. It's the cost of the effect of what it does to the community and the events within the community."
Wallaceburg is preparing to host the Wallaceburg Antique Motor Boat Outing (WAMBO), an event that relies heavily on the L.O. Stonehouse Memorial Walking Bridge. According to McGregor, the latest vandalism damaged the wiring, preventing the bridge from lifting.
Her motion asks staff to look into enhancing security measures at the bridge. She is hoping for a report about the costs and recommendations of improving surveillance, access controls, lighting, intrusion detection, physical security enhancement, and any other measures deemed appropriate to protect the bridge.
Both motions will be discussed and voted on at the August 10 council meeting.
