Headstone vandalism grows at eastern Ontario cemeteries, along with community anger
Clean-up is underway in Belleville, Ont. after another string of vandalism at cemeteries.
At St. James Cemetery, officials say more than 300 gravesites were vandalized with white spray paint.
It's the latest in a series of vandalism incidents at cemeteries in eastern Ontario in the last month, with 900 headstones estimated to have been damaged since the spree began. Vandalism has been reported at eight different cemeteries in the Trenton area, Kingston, and now in the Belleville area.
Kingston resident Glen Prince tells CTV News Ottawa, his father's headstone was damaged with white paint.
"There’s only two times I've ever been scared to come here. The day we put him six feet under, and today."
He says he was enraged when he had heard what had happened.
"It’s just disgusting what people have done and I feel for the families of everybody, not only this cemetery but all the cemeteries that they’ve done this too," said Prince. "It’s just not right. Like have a little respect."
Police have not made any arrests, or confirmed whether any of these cases of vandalism are connected.
St. James was targeted twice in just a few days.
Mark Hopper helps manage the grounds. With so many cemeteries damaged, Hopper says even added security can't stop every threat.
"It’s nighttime,” explains Hopper. "You’ve got a 100-acre property like this one here. Where do you start? Where do you turn your resources? Who knows if they’re coming back?"
The repair work is being done for here at St. James by local company Campbell’s Monument and the city of Belleville. As the number of damaged gravesites grows, a Go Fund Me page has also been set up to help save families hundreds of dollars each.
As the devastating act is washed away, Prince says the impact of that kindness remains.
"Their support in this has made a big difference; I’m sure to a lot of people."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.