The amount of wire theft occurring in the City of Langley may potentially push the engineering department’s vandalism budget up by 300 to 400 per cent.
The City has a budget of $10,090 to spend on wire theft vandalism for 2011, and as of June 20 it has already gone over budget by 120 per cent, with expenditures of $22,100.
The engineering department forecasts that anywhere from $33,000 to $45,000 will be spent this year in replacing wires that have been stolen. This compares with $8,480 spent last year.
This does not include the further $13,725 set aside for general vandalism clean-up or the $68,840 for park vandalism.
Areas such as Innes Corner have been repeatedly hit with acts of graffiti and flower theft. The large cover at Spirit Square has recently been slashed, costing nearly $3,000 to repair. Washrooms at Portage Park have been tagged with graffiti and wire theft has occurred at many places, including Buckley Park and Duncan Way.
Gary Vlieg, City director of engineering, parks and environment, says that wire theft costs Langley City taxpayers $100,000, which is the equivalent of a 0.5 per cent tax increase.
“[Wire theft and vandalism] affect every person that lives in the community, directly or indirectly, and we very much appreciate the public’s assistance in trying to apprehend these people, and for in every way possible trying to discourage people from graffiti, stealing plants or stealing wire because it does affect each and every one of us in our pocket books,” he said.
Langley City is considering installing security devices on all street lamps to help prevent wire theft, but estimates this will cost $50,000.
As of now, the City is spending $15,000 to target high risk locations and install security devices in those places.
Councillor Gayle Martin said there should be more RCMP bicycle patrols in the area so those who vandalize can be caught and charged.
“[A citizen] had commented that they used to see the bike patrols all the time but they never see them anymore. And I think that we learn from past experiences, and certainly the bike patrols could sneak up on these guys in no time,” she said.
Councillor Dave Hall also brought up a question of promoting “public shaming,” reflecting recent trends from the Vancouver riot.
City council passed a motion to send a letter to the local prosecutor recommending that the justice system consider restitution or community service within Langley City for any cases of vandalism occurring within this community.
This way, those caught and convicted of vandalism will have to make up for their acts of public destruction in a local, public way.
