Charges laid in smashing of Peace Bridge windowpanes that caused $1M in damage
One man is facing charges after 80 per cent of the glass windowpanes on Calgary's iconic Peace Bridge were shattered over the weekend, causing nearly $1 million in damage.
The vandalism to the 70 panels happened at around 4 a.m. on Sunday, July 24.
Witnesses reported a man using a hammer, rebar and bricks to smash the glass as he walked from one side of the bridge to the other, pushing a shopping cart with him as he went.
On Wednesday, police said 58-year-old Brian Douglas Jensen had been charged in relation to the most recent vandalism, as well as a separate incident on June 18 where, at around 1:10 a.m., a single windowpane on the same bridge was shattered.
Jensen is charged with two counts each of mischief to property over $5,000, disturbing the peace, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, breaches of a conditional sentence order and a bylaw infraction for unlawful disposal of waste in a park.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Calgary Police Service's non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
PEACE BRIDGE VANDALISM COSTING CALGARIANS
Damage to the glass panelling on Calgary's iconic Peace Bridge on Sunday, July 24, 2022. The bridge, built a decade ago in 2012, is so frequently vandalised 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 broken every year, and it costs roughly $80,000 a year to remove and replace the broken panels. This does not include the cost of the panels themselves, as the city has been using replacement panels provided when the bridge was first built.
Recently, the city has been looking into the possibility of using alternate materials other than glass for windowpanes.
“We know the Peace Bridge is an iconic art structure in our city, and we know Calgarians are upset by the vandalism and damage caused to something that is meant to be enjoyed by everyone,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Liana Deegan said on Monday.
Anyone who witnesses Peace Bridge vandalism in progress is asked to call 911.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.