Vandals target cemetery

Officials are calling it a despicable theft.

Sometime in the evening of Saturday September 14, bronze markers on 53 cemetery plots in the Westbank Cemetery were stolen.

The thieves cut the the lock on the cemetery gate to gain access.

The City of West Kelowna was notified by RCMP of the theft on September 16 as part of its investigation.

“Understanding the significant emotional impact this theft may have on loved ones, City staff began contacting impacted families immediately to advise them of the theft,” said a city news release. “Although these families will be responsible for plaque replacement, the City is waiving its installation fee of approximately $300 for those impacted and has sourced reduced price options from suppliers. The City is encouraging families to consider options that are not attractive to thieves, like granite.”

The city has increased its park security patrols in the area and a guard will now walk the grounds of the cemetery each evening.

The city is also looking into security cameras for the cemetery.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to contact West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.