Tanya Bunnah is fed up.
She鈥檚 fed up of walking into the her business, Blossom Montessori preschool, and seeing it ripped apart and frustrated by the disrespect that puts her community at risk.
鈥淪ince 2005 they鈥檝e tipped over our shed, shot pellet holes in it and kicked it in,鈥� said Bunnah, who鈥檚 situated in Lake Country.
鈥淥ne year they took a pirate ship and put it on the roof of the school. If they鈥檙e not damaging things, they鈥檙e taking the tires and running them down the hill and I鈥檝e found alcohol bottles on the playground.鈥�
Windows have been smashed at the preschool and also at Peter Greer, the neighbouring elementary school.
鈥淭hese things happen at least a couple of times a year and at least once a year there鈥檚 damage and I鈥檓 having to replace things,鈥� said Bunnah. 鈥淲e鈥檙e paying for it out of pocket to keep the insurance rates down and it鈥檚 not cheap. We pay our bills, but there鈥檚 not an overabundance of cash available to keep replacing these items.鈥�
What鈥檚 really helped is that there are families connected to the preschool who volunteer and do different things to keep the playground going.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 so frustrating,鈥� she said.
Bunnah said while she doesn鈥檛 know how to stop it from happening she hopes that her concerns can be heard by area parents.
鈥淚f parents could talk to their kids and be more aware of what they鈥檙e doing at 11 p.m. and 12 a.m., that would help,鈥� she said, adding that she鈥檚 pretty sure it鈥檚 older kids doing the damage in the middle of the night.
鈥淕o have your fun鈥攂ut you鈥檙e wrecking little people鈥檚 playground 鈥� and that鈥檚 not OK.鈥�
In the future, she said, the educational community is thinking about building a community garden, but she鈥檚 starting to question what it鈥檚 for.
If they can鈥檛 even keep a preschool clear of trouble, what hope is there for the garden, she said.
It鈥檚 not just Lake Country suffering from vandals.
Over in Kettle Valley there have also been some issues.
Investigators attended the Kettle Valley area Oct. 1 to obtain photographs of the damage caused and to speak with and gather further information from area residents.
鈥淧olice noted extensive damages caused, mainly as a result of graffiti and tagging, not only to Chute Lake Elementary School, but to business鈥� and infrastructure in that area,鈥� said Cpl. Jesse O鈥橠onaghey.
鈥淧olice have also been informed of a notable increase of motor vehicles being entered during the overnight hours, in some cases where items are allegedly taken from within. Residents suspect that those responsible for the mischief may also be responsible for the theft and attempted theft from vehicles.鈥�
RCMP have also learned that youths have been seen gathering and believed to be consuming alcohol in the area. Police ask parents to have a discussion with their children to ensure they are fully aware of the seriousness and potential consequences of under age drinking, and or the commission of criminal acts related to theft and mischief.
They are also encouraging all residents to ensure they report these crimes to police, as when they go un-reported, crime analysts are not in a position to identify trends, potentially identify suspects and provide real time information to RCMP officers for consideration for their proactive patrol efforts.
There is an investigation into the mischievous acts and they are asking the public to report suspicious activity to the police. Police have been in contact with school officials to assist with planning to deter future incidents from happening.
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