Edmonton police are investigating, after dozens of monuments were damaged in an apparent vandalism spree at a north side cemetery.
Police said a total of 66 monuments were damaged, with tombstones toppled or shattered, destroyed urns and personal memorial items strewn throughout the grounds at the St. Michael’s Cemetery at 138 Avenue and 82 Street.
The vandalism was reported by cemetery staff on Wednesday, April 9 – it’s believed the vandalism took place sometime between the evening of April 8 and the next morning.
“This is a cowardly, disrespectful, and senseless crime,” Const. Liam Watson with EPS said in a press release. “There’s no rhyme or reason to this mindless vandalism, which appears to be random, and possibly the work of several destructive individuals who had nothing better to do.”
Police said the affected plots are in the northwest corner of the cemetery grounds and were purchased between 1965 and 1972, and staff were in the process of assessing damage, and repairing stones and monuments where possible – survivors of the deceased whose plots were damaged were also being contacted.
Damages are estimated to be about $50,000 and $75,000.
Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or #377 on a mobile phone.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
