Local taxpayers will be on the hook for $2,000 to $5,000 in cleanup costs after what the Comox Valley RCMP call a ‘boisterous protest’ Monday in front of the Bank of Montreal’s Courtenay branch.
RCMP say they received a report about noon that a group of people had glued numerous signs and posters on private property and property owned by the City of Courtenay.
“These signs were posted throughout the downtown area of Courtenay and as far south as 26th Street,” Cpl. Andy Irvine of the Comox Valley RCMP says in a news release. “The signs are in reference to the Raven underground coal project.”
Some people within the group had their faces concealed, there was banging on windows and doors at the bank as well as yelling at the police and the staff, Irvine adds.
Some people blocked traffic while others climbed onto the roof of the bank and hung a banner protesting the coal project, he says. “Some bank employees as well as the public were frightened by the behaviour displayed. Most (protestors) involved fled upon police arrival.”
The costs of removing the signs and posters will cost city taxpayers between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on how much damage is done to the underlying surfaces during the removal process, Irvine estimates.
The Comox Valley RCMP are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying any of the individuals responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call the local detachment at 250-338-1321. Should callers wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
