‘We have to do something’: Prince Albert business owner stands up to vandals

Frustrated by ongoing vandalism and property damage, and what he calls a lack of response from city officials and the police service, a Prince Albert business owner is taking matters into his own hands.

Ron Miller, owner of the Taco Time restaurant on Second Avenue W, plans to spend a lot of extra hours at his restaurant this week. Armed with a pellet gun, he’ll be carefully supervising the overnight activity.

“There’ll be two or three of us. We’ll take shifts. I just feel the public has to start doing something because (vandals) are taking over the city,” he said.

“I’ve got a $700,000 building they are wrecking all the time and I’m tired of it and I think more of the public has to step up to the plate and start helping control these people.”

Among the most recent incidents were one of Miller’s windows being shot out on Halloween night. Youth, equipped with sling shots, were seen in the area. Police were notified but when they arrived, the suspects were already gone.

And then sometime overnight Monday, someone stole the lid off one of the garbage containers behind the business. The drive-through menu sign was also spray painted. Miller also cited similar incidents happening at surrounding businesses.

“This morning I called the mayor and I called the police chief and I said, ‘I’m tired of this. You guys can’t do anything about it so I’m going to start protecting my property,’ ” he said.

The cost to fix the garbage can alone is over $2,600, which Miller has been told he is responsible for, and he’ll also have to pay for the cost of a lock. In the meantime, after telling the police about his plans, Miller said he was told he faces the risk of being charged.

“I don’t care if I get charged. I want to bring awareness and some attention to it. We have to do something. I’m not going to let them come and wreck my building. I’m just not,” he said.

Patty Hughes, the CEO of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, said it’s very unfortunate what some of the city’s businesses have to deal with.

“But I would encourage our business owners to reach out to our local police and work with them to help solve these issues,” she said.

Statement from police

In a statement provided to paNOW, the Prince Albert Police Service said it recognizes the frustration many residents and business owners feel due to suspicious activity and property crime in our community.

“These incidents can be costly, time consuming, and threaten the health and safety of business owners and their staff. The police service encourages business owners to contact police with concerns or to report suspicious activity,” the statement said.

Where property crime affects specific properties, the statement explained the police service often works with business owners to determine whether environmental changes, such as enhancements to lighting, security, or architecture may aid in crime prevention and deterrence of suspicious activity.

“The Prince Albert Police Service does not condone personal acts of violence or retaliation against anyone in response to crime,” the statement said.

“The police service will continue to work to proactively address crime and concerns from business owners about vandalism and suspicious activity through visible policing, neighbourhood patrols, and continued dialogue with business owners and residents.”

Nigel Maxwell, paNOW