Theft, vandalism in Eastern Passage prompts increase in police patrols

Crime in Eastern Passage has prompted the RCMP to increase patrols.

On Oct. 27 public and private properties were damaged in a rash of vandalism. Bus shelters were damaged and windows at the Tallahassee Community School were smashed.

On Nov. 21 RCMP received reports of thieves entering a vehicle on Melrose Crescent.

“The RCMP have increased our patrols in the Eastern Passage area as a result of these incidents,” said Cpl. Dal Hutchinson in an email.

Leanne Schmidt owns the Violet Unicorn in Fisherman’s Cove, one of the buisnesses vandalized in October.

“It’s happened more frequently within the last year; it feels like there is an increase (but) I don’t know for sure,” said Schmidt. “It could be that people are just getting more vocal about it. I definitely am getting more and more cautious.”

She said community watch or RCMP patrols will deter vandals and criminals. 

“Obviously, they’re not going to be smacking things with a baseball bat if there’s a number of witnesses,” said Schmidt.

Barbara Adams, MLA for Eastern Passage, met with the RCMP on Monday.

“There was a rash of vandalism that was out-of-the-box bad,” said Adams. “This is baseball bats smashing down very thick plexiglass, and then you’re going down to Fisherman’s Cove and then you’re going down to a school. This took them hours and it was very violent.”

Adams said that the Citizens on Patrol organization will be extended to Eastern Passage. Citizens on Patrol volunteers patrol communities and notify the RCMP of suspicious behaviour. 

“The first thing is to ask anybody who wants to sign up for Citizens on Patrol to do so, because that can start immediately,” said Adams. “It’s going to take the entire community to even make a smidgen of change.”

Adams said three people were arrested in relation to the Oct. 27 vandalism and are going through a restorative justice program.

She encourages Eastern Passage residents to report any suspicious behaviour to the RCMP.

About the author

Brendan Ahern

Join the conversation

1. C

   Carla Hacquoil

   Dec 1, 2017 | 12:00AM
   Would be interested in helping out when I can. Let me know when the meeting will be. I work full time but willing to help out when I can

2. M

   Marg misener

   Nov 30, 2017 | 12:00AM
   Im avail some work odd shifts n have a car

3. A

   Anon

   Nov 30, 2017 | 12:00AM
   We pay enough property tax,income tax, and sales tax we shouldn’t have to be volunteering to do community watch so our own belongings don’t get stolen or broke, what’s next , need people from the community to fight fires??direct traffic?

• A

  Anon

  Nov 30, 2017 | 12:00AM
  That attitude is why we have these problems in the first place. You can't and shouldn't have to expect police to be everywhere at once. People need to step up and take responsibility for their communities and knowing where their children are. Everyone is so absorbed in their own lives that we've lost any sense of community spirit and pride.

• A

  Aaron

  Nov 30, 2017 | 12:00AM
  People from the community do fight fires and direct traffic. In not sure you know how employment works. Or volunteers work.

4. T

   Tamara

   Nov 30, 2017 | 12:00AM
   Lori, I'd recommend calling the MLA office at 902-406-0656 for more information.

5. C

   Cliff Blair

   Nov 30, 2017 | 12:00AM
   Given the amount of military in the area there should be a citizens group in place. Not saying that the military doesn't have enough work to do, just saying that their no nonsense attitude is perfect for kicking a brat or two in the pants for being dumb.