Weapons incident and vandalism in Essex has some calling for return of police-led VIP program in schools
Numerous meetings have taken place since a youth allegedly fired an airsoft gun at a dance last Friday.
That incident helped highlight another issue.
Town councilor Sherry Bondy told CTV News there has been an increase in vandalism at local parks in the last few months.
“There's been a rise in graffiti at our parks, behind our arena and really inappropriate graffiti,” said Bondy.
The skate park has graphic graffiti. Other parks have suffered vandalism as well.
“It's actually starting to cost us a lot of money too. As you can see here today the swings are gone due to graffiti so what are we going to do? We need to address it,” said Bondy, pointing to a pair of hooks with no swings.
Some parents have expressed their concerns on social media that not enough is being done to protect the parks and their children.
Erin McLelland lives near a town park that has been vandalized but said she doesn’t fear going across the street to enjoy the amenity.
“Not at all. They have friends at the park. We all meet out there. It's a great community,
she said.
McLelland did acknowledge she’s heard of youth acting up in the park and feels a police presence could help simmer the boisterous behaviour.
“I would like to see auxiliary officers come around more,” she said.
Essex Police Services Board chair Kim Verbeek feels a motion brought forward at town council Monday night could help curtail vandalism and graffiti.
She is pushing for the return of the Values, Influences and Peers programs (also known as VIP) to local schools.
“This is really important. It's too valuable to let it just sit on the table. Let's get our officers back in the schools,” Verbeek said.
The public board says the VIP program is currently paused and will be discussed in the coming months. The Catholic board has already resumed offering the program throughout their system.
“We have a very good relationship with the police services in the area. We're extremely glad they're back in our schools and we're extremely happy that they're delivering the kinds of programming that quite frankly kids need to hear,” said Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board communications coordinator Stephen Fields.
Verbeek says a letter is being drafted and will be sent to all school boards to expedite the return of VIP. Meanwhile the OPP continues to investigate the weapons incident at the dance and is asking for any witnesses to reach out.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.