Sunshine Coast RCMP are asking for information and public vigilance after a rash of criminal mischief across the Coast over the last few weeks.
Sgt. Russ Howard said recent incidents like tree vandalism in Sechelt and damage to property in the Bonniebrook area are part of a recent spike in mischief - about 50 per cent more than can be expected around this time of year.
He said there have been no breaks in the tree vandalism case. The District of Sechelt is paying approximately $4,000 to replace the trees.
"We haven't really identified who is responsible for it. We're looking for any help from the public in relation to that, obviously. I find it hard to believe that all those trees got broken and nobody saw what was going on. That's not something that happened in 30 seconds or a minute," Howard said.
As for the spate of property damage in the Bonniebrook area, Howard said there is also little progress in their investigation.
"We seem to be chasing groups of youth around on that one. I don't know what's causing it. Could be the end of the school year and celebration and summer's here. I don't know," he said.
Howard isn't putting the blame on this year's graduating high school classes, though as he said, oftentimes, the young people police spot in the area after these incidents have already graduated from high school in recent years.
Howard told members of the Sunshine Coast Regional District policing committee Monday that RCMP would be stepping up patrols in "hot spot" areas where mischief incidents tend to happen. The meeting was part of an annual outreach to local governments to consult on what priorities the RCMP should be focusing on for the next year.
Howard said there should be a community interest in stopping the vandalism as it is a crime with costs for the whole community.
"It should concern everybody on the Coast, because ultimately it's the taxpayers who pay for the repairs when it's on public property and when it's on private property, it's the property owners themselves who are stuck with the repairs, so we are hoping for some assistance," he said.
