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Bad behaviour at Windermere Beach brings security patrols
For several months, the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) has been dealing with vandalism at its Windermere Beach Park and recently has noticed an increase in garbage and damage in the wake of large parties being held after hours.
“Our parks contractors have been working tirelessly daily to clean up the garbage and debris left behind by large groups of mostly young people who are not only vandalizing our site, but who are causing these same issues for neighbours on private properties around the Beach,” said RDEK Electoral Area F Director Susan Clovechok.
“We’ve been locking the gates nightly and ahead of the August long weekend, hired security to do overnight patrols.”
In the two weekends since, there have been numerous other incidents including a group of youth with tents who were asked to leave by security only to return afterwards. In this instance, parents were called and helped clean up. Most recently, it was a party involving over 100 youth estimated to be between the ages of 14 and 20, requiring RCMP to be called.
“The lack of respect for this community, the neighbours, and public property is absolutely unacceptable,” stressed Clovechok.
“We will be continuing with our overnight security and are meeting with the RCMP this week to discuss increased patrols and response. We are also appealing to any youth thinking about a beach party at Windermere Beach to do the right thing, respect the park and its rules, respect the neighbours, and make other plans.”
The RDEK will also be reaching out to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding additional no-parking signage in the area.
“It is incredibly frustrating when people – regardless of their age – show such flagrant disregard for the community. From the noise and destruction of property, to ignoring the park operating hours, parking on the roadways in some cases making it impossible for emergency vehicles to get through safely, it all needs to stop,” added Clovechok.
Windermere Beach (pictured) is located at the end of Selkirk Street in the community of Windermere. It is open daily from dawn to dusk.
e-KNOW file photo
RDEK
