'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
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.

Jan. 6 rioters are raking in thousands in donations. Now the U.S. is coming after their haul
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning.
Prediabetes: The younger you are, the higher the risk of dementia
People who develop prediabetes when they’re younger are likely to have a higher risk for dementia in later life, a new U.S. study has found.
Running through middle age can keep brain healthy and neurons wired: study
Exercising as you age can help maintain memory and fight cognitive decline, according to a new study.
Erdogan holds lead in unofficial count in Turkiye's presidential runoff
Preliminary, unofficial results from Turkish news agencies showed incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead with over 95 per cent of ballot boxes counted in a presidential runoff that will decide whether the country's longtime leader stretches his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade.
Russia launched 'largest drone attack' on Ukrainian capital before Kyiv Day; 1 killed
Ukraine's capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia's war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday. At least one person was killed.
Jewish groups and city officials protest against Roger Waters concert in Frankfurt
Several Jewish groups, politicians and an alliance of civil society groups gathered for a memorial ceremony and a protest rally against a concert by Roger Waters in Frankfurt on Sunday evening.
Attorney for 11-year-old Mississippi boy shot by police says there's 'no way' he could have been mistaken for an adult
An attorney for an 11-year-old Mississippi boy who was shot by a police officer after he called 911 for help said Thursday there was 'no way' the boy could have been mistaken for an adult.