Vandals in the Municipality of Lakeshore may want to smile for the camera after councillors approved surveillance equipment in three parks.
The municipal council agreed to spend $37,500 on cameras in Lakeview Park, Stoney Point Park, and Centennial after vandals caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage since washrooms opened in early May.
The damage is severe.
Vandals plugged up, broke, ripped-out toilets, smashed mirrors, and kicked-in stall doors. They shifted a brick wall off its foundation at Maidstone Park. That's just this year.
The problem isn't new. Vandals targeted public washrooms at nine parks last fall.
In response, the municipality has closed its public washrooms, only opening operational ones during scheduled activities. Porta potties provide relief at parks where they are inoperable.
The damage is also widespread and will be costly. A report to councillors estimated fixing it will cost $21,407 and take over 150 hours of staff and contractor time to repair. Money to replace equipment will have to come out of the operational budget in the years to come.
Cameras will only be installed in three parks this year, but vandals have caused damage to at least ten across Lakeshore. Funding for the remaining seven will have to come out of the 2023 budget when councillors deliberate the spending plan for next year.
