Featured News
Anarchists' Return To Smash New Windows
'We are not police,' society says
By Cheryl Chan, The Province
February 9, 2008
A community policing centre on Commercial Drive is in desperate straits after being targeted three times in recent months by vandals.
The Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre, which had its windows and door smashed to smithereens, is now operating behind plywood -- and in debt -- after the attacks.
"We're gobsmacked," said frustrated board member Eileen Mosca. "It's not theft, it's not mischief. They're basically anarchists."
Mosca believes the centre is a "sitting duck," targeted because of its association with police, despite it being a volunteer-run non-profit society.
"We're not police, we're not a police station, but we're a handy target," she said. "They wouldn't go down to 2120 Cambie [Vancouver police headquarters] and throw rocks at them there."
After the first attack in November, the centre replaced two panes of glass at a cost of $2,740. To raise money, it started a cell phone drive to collect 2,740 discarded cell phones to recycle for a dollar each.
On Jan. 25, vandals returned and smashed the new windows the centre is still trying to pay off. Then early Friday, vandals struck again, smashing the two remaining panes and the glass door.
Damage is estimated at $6,000 and metal shutters, which Mosca said they would be "fools not to install," would cost another $10,000 to $14,000.
The organization had four other incidents of vandalism in previous years. Its insurance policy was cancelled after the second hit. Neither the city nor police can offer financial assistance.
Police have video footage of two people dressed in black hoodies with black bandannas obscuring their faces and using rocks to smash the windows in one attack.
The centre is now fighting to stay open and is appealing to the community to help raise funds.
"If we shut down, they win," said Mosca.
For more information please contact: Eileen Mosca, GWCPC board member
604-219-7929 or 604-254-1035
Donations can be mailed to our office and we will mail you a tax receipt.
Our address is:
1977 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC, V5N 4A8
Anarchists' Return To Smash New Windows
'We are not police,' society says
By Cheryl Chan, The Province
February 9, 2008
A community policing centre on Commercial Drive is in desperate straits after being targeted three times in recent months by vandals.
The Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre, which had its windows and door smashed to smithereens, is now operating behind plywood -- and in debt -- after the attacks.
"We're gobsmacked," said frustrated board member Eileen Mosca. "It's not theft, it's not mischief. They're basically anarchists."
Mosca believes the centre is a "sitting duck," targeted because of its association with police, despite it being a volunteer-run non-profit society.
"We're not police, we're not a police station, but we're a handy target," she said. "They wouldn't go down to 2120 Cambie [Vancouver police headquarters] and throw rocks at them there."
After the first attack in November, the centre replaced two panes of glass at a cost of $2,740. To raise money, it started a cell phone drive to collect 2,740 discarded cell phones to recycle for a dollar each.
On Jan. 25, vandals returned and smashed the new windows the centre is still trying to pay off. Then early Friday, vandals struck again, smashing the two remaining panes and the glass door.
Damage is estimated at $6,000 and metal shutters, which Mosca said they would be "fools not to install," would cost another $10,000 to $14,000.
The organization had four other incidents of vandalism in previous years. Its insurance policy was cancelled after the second hit. Neither the city nor police can offer financial assistance.
Police have video footage of two people dressed in black hoodies with black bandannas obscuring their faces and using rocks to smash the windows in one attack.
The centre is now fighting to stay open and is appealing to the community to help raise funds.
"If we shut down, they win," said Mosca.
For more information please contact: Eileen Mosca, GWCPC board member
604-219-7929 or 604-254-1035
Donations can be mailed to our office and we will mail you a tax receipt.
Our address is:
1977 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC, V5N 4A8