The mayor of Prince Rupert says vandalism to a recently re-opened park is completely unacceptable and beyond disrespectful.
But Lee Brain is encouraging residents not to simply react with anger about the most recent damage to Mariners Park playground. Instead he says it’s important to realize that those responsbile need help to heal the patterns that caused them to commit the vandalism.
Brain says that means being firm and holding them accountable for their actions, but also finding constructive ways for them to see they can live respectfully and with dignity in thecommunity.
Mariners Park, which recently got a new pirate-themed playground worth over $260, 000, was damaged sometime this week.
The new equipment was spray painted with swear words. Public Works staff cleaned up the park Wednesday with the help of local residents.
It’s not the first time the playground was damaged. Even during construction, vandals targeted the development, causing 15-thousand dollars worth of damage and delaying its completion.
