72 of the glass side panels of the Peace Bridge over the Bow River were shattered this weekend. That’s 80 percent of the total side panels, causing nearly $1 million in damage
“We have witnesses and bystanders who told us exactly when and how, so we forwarded that to Calgary police,” Ward 7 Councilor Terry Wong said.
Police say witnesses reported the act of vandalism was carried out by a man who used a hammer, rebar and bricks to break the glass. Police say he crossed the bridge, starting on the southwest side, pushing a shopping cart with him.
Witnesses saw the suspect dump the shopping cart in the river and flee into the nearby Sunnyside neighborhood.
In a press release late Monday, Calgary police said the man they believe caused the latest vandalism on the bridge is also believed to be responsible for breaking at least one pane of glass earlier in June of this year.
They have released a description of the man and are hoping the public can help find him.
The suspect is described as approximately 50 to 60 years old, with a full moustache, 167 to 179 centimeters (5″6′ to 5″9′) tall, of thin build, weighing approximately 68 kg (150 pounds).
“We know that the Peace Bridge is an iconic artistic structure in our city, and we know that Calgarians are upset by the vandalism and damage caused to something that is meant to be enjoyed by all,” said Acting Liana Deegan.
“We are currently investigating this incident and are asking anyone with information or who can identify the suspect to come forward.”
Local artist Athena Cooper came to the Peace Bridge on Monday morning to survey the damage. The artist paints images of Calgary and the Peace Bridge is one of her favorite places.
“I think it’s heartbreaking. I think it’s a visual expression of how someone feels about the city right now,” Cooper said. “And that in itself is heartbreaking.”
CHANGE PANELS FAST
Wong wants the glass panels replaced quickly.
“We need to restore the bridge to its aesthetic beauty.
Wong said the city will be on the hook for nearly millions of dollars in vandalism repair costs because it self-insured.
While self-insuring saves costs for the city as a whole, Wong said individual, costly incidents like this can have an impact on the city’s budget.
The bridge, built a decade ago in 2012, has been so frequently vandalized that city officials recently launched a new campaign aimed at reducing intentional damage to the structure.
According to city officials, an average of six panels break each year, and it costs about $80,000 a year to remove and replace the broken panels. This does not include the cost of the panels themselves, as the city is using replacement panels provided when the bridge was originally built.
“Three weeks ago, (the city) started doing a study with a consultant to look at different materials for the side panels themselves, and we hope to bring that back to council in the fall. However, Wong noted that replacing the glass with another material may require redesigning parts of the iconic bridge.
“It is unfortunate that people have decided to destroy a public amenity like this.
Anyone who witnesses vandalism on the Peace Bridge is asked to call 911.
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