In light of the recent spate of deliberate damage to village property, Salmo RCMP have enlisted the services of a forensic identification team, based in Nelson, to help identify the suspects, confirmed Cpl. Riordan Bellman, of the village’s detachment.
Last week, Mayor Ann Henderson issued a notice to Salmo and area residents expressing concern about increased vandalism to village property, and village staff having tires slashed and other “events” that posed safety concerns and risk of injury.
“Salmo RCMP are working with the village together to address the surrounding issues of vandalism in the community,” said Bellman.
He acknowledged that Salmo detachment has been called to remove disruptive people from the village hall this summer, although none of the calls were deemed an “emergency.”
Confrontation between the mayor and a group of residents began after council tendered out the village’s garbage contract and awarded it to Alpine Contracting over Salmo Garbage Services, a company that held the contract for over two decades, according to Coun. Janine Haughton.
“Why on earth would saving taxpayers of our village over $20,000 in garbage fees incense folks to riot,” she said. “It is beyond my comprehension.”
Since July, Mayor Henderson has begun each council by reading rules of decorum expected from gallery members at the meeting, in response to an increase in attendance of outspoken residents.
Bellman said that police presence has not been requested at council, however he did attend one meeting with a quarterly report, which “helped keep the meeting flowing on track.”
“Being the focus of others displaced anger and venom is tiring to say the least,” said Haughton. “Trying to carry on and conduct business in a respectful and forward moving manner is almost impossible.”
Bellman asks anyone with information to contact the department at 357-2212 or call Crime Stoppers.