Loon Lake residents frustrated with rash of vandalism

“I’ve been here 34 years now and it was the worse summer we’ve ever had,” he said.

“They don’t care. Neighbours have them on camera throwing stuff at their window and they’re standing at the window and they yell at these kids and they just say, ‘Screw you’ or worse.”

The situation has gotten to the point where residents are now talking about vigilantism and a meeting was held on Thursday to try and find more productive solutions. According to resident John Freyman, the whole experience has been disturbing. Since June, he and his wife have had numerous incidents of windows in their home or vehicles broken.

“It was terrible,” he said referring to an incident from a month ago.

“I, of course, jumped up and looked outside and seen some people running away and I phone the police, and they come, and the rocks are there, and you know. What can you do?”

Due to the constant disturbances – the last of which happened two nights ago when he woke up to finding the back and side windows of his car smashed out – Freyman said it has led to feeling nervous.

“That was, just made you really feel, ‘Man, is it worth while being here or what’s going on?’”

According to Hirschfeld, the kids – who he estimates are between the ages of 10 and 16 – aren’t being reprimanded or facing consequences.

“The cops maybe catch them if they can and they don’t go to court because they’re underage, so they take them home, parents aren’t there so social services gets involved and a day later, two days later, they’re back on the street doing the same thing,” he said.

“The older ones that are being caught, end up in court and two days later, they’re out on the street again,” Hirschfeld added, noting they want to start doing victim impact statements.

The back of a vehicle after vandals threw rocks. (Submitted Photo/John Freyman)

In addition to his community, the mayor said vandalism is happening on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and Makwa Lake Resort. meadowlakeNOW has reached out multiple times to the Chief Melvin Mooswa of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, but have yet to hear back.

“It’s massive,” said the Loon Lake mayor.

According to the RCMP, they are asking for residents who have surveillance video to come forward and submit it to the local detachment to help with investigations.

While emotions are reaching a fever pitch, so far they are working on potential solutions including reestablishing a citizen on patrol and reaching out to whoever will listen.

“I can’t even remember how much damage has been done now,” said Hirschfeld, noting he estimates between the thefts and overall damage, thousands of dollars has been incurred- including about $5,000 worth in tools from a maintenance shop.

“There’s no punishment for the crime, these kids can do whatever they want, they don’t care, and they know if they get caught it won’t matter.”

Meanwhile, Freyman said while the community is ready to take matters into their own hands and acknowledged that he himself has had similar feelings, he is hoping to find alternative ideas.

“You’re hoping that instead of going to violence, maybe you try the peaceful solutions and maybe it will help, maybe something can be done,” he said.

—

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On X:jls194864

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Loon Lake residents frustrated with rash of vandalism

What's Trending