Ongoing vandalism and late-night parties have prompted the Regional District of East Kootenay to step up security at Windermere Beach.
RDEK staff said vandalism has been going on for several months, and they have noticed a recent increase in garbage and damage left after large parties.
“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.”
The RDEK said there have been several other incidents at the beach since then, including one instance where a group of youth with tents were asked to leave.
They returned shortly after and parents were called in to help clean up.
Most recently, RCMP had to be called in in response to a party with over 100 youths believed to be between the ages of 14 and 20.
“The lack of respect for this community, the neighbours, and public property is absolutely unacceptable,” said 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 reach out to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to request more no-parking signs in the area.
“It is incredibly frustrating when people – regardless of their age – show such flagrant disregard for the community,” said Clovechok
“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.”
The beach is located at the end of Selkirk Street and is open to public use from dawn to dusk.
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