'It’s really frustrating': Downtown Lethbridge residents react to finding vehicles vandalized
Some downtown Lethbridge residents were left scrambling before their morning commute on Monday after a string of vehicle break-ins overnight in the 1100 block of Fifth Avenue S.
Police say the majority of vehicle owners who had their windows smashed did not report anything stolen but some residents at the Dhillon Tower Apartments are feeling on edge about the situation.
Several tenants in the building were left picking up shattered glass left behind after eight vehicles were broken into Monday night, according to LPS.
One resident moved to Lethbridge from Calgary just two days ago and already feels unsafe about parking his car at night.
“We were in Calgary and nothing happened to us for six months, and we were parking on the road,” said Kanwal Sings.
“It’s a small town and I thought it would be safe because crimes are more in the big cities, not in the small ones.”
Another tenant says in 12 years of living in the building, he’s never had anything like this happen, but he still feels it’s a safe place to live.
“There hasn't been too much of a prevalence of vandalism or theft in the parking lot here, so overall I think were about the same neighbourhood as anyone else,” said Daniel Strong.
Regardless of how safe he feels, the incident has shaken up the long-time resident.
“I’ve had to take a personal day off from work tomorrow just so I can deal with all of this,” explained Strong.
Downtown Lethbridge did see an uptick in police calls in 2021 compared with the year prior, the only area of the city to see crime rise. LPS says it is continuing to keep a close eye on the area, but one resident says it isn't enough. She’s facing a hefty bill to replace her car window and fears it could happen again.
“Three hundred dollars to $500,” said Bohan Eei.
“Its big money to replace everything and get everything fixed so it’s really frustrating.”
The building manager at Dhillon Tower wouldn't speak on camera, but told CTV security cameras are set around the perimeter of the building and there's a guard stationed inside twice a week.
LPS are also in the process of conducting phone call surveys to residents across the city in an effort to gather information about their overall performance, citizen satisfaction, safety and areas they can improve on.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.