Vancouver Police are investigating a significant amount of mischief to a south Vancouver cemetery that has left dozens of headstones and memorials damaged.
Police were called shortly before 7 a.m. on July 28th, when someone out for a morning walk through the southeast part of Mountain View Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Vancouver, noticed damage to a number of headstones. Officers arrived to find empty beer bottles and cans strewn about the predominantly Jewish and Asian area of the cemetery. Dozens of headstones, grave markers, an Asian Pagoda, and other memorials had been damaged by either being tipped over or broken.
Police canvassed the neighbourhood and learned from nearby residents that a group of youths had been heard between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. partying in the area, but police were not called. There was no graffiti and the area with the damage appears to be where the youths were partying.
“The vandals that did this showed a complete lack of respect to the deceased and their families,” says Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Constable Lindsey Houghton. “We urge anyone who has information about this despicable act to come forward and do the right thing so those responsible can be held accountable.”
Police are asking anyone who saw the youth in the area at the time or who has information about this mischief to call the Vancouver Police or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
