SaltWire E-Edition

Port-o-potty theft, vandalism ‘common problem’

KATHY JOHNSON TRI-COUNTY VANGUARD

For some reason, people like to steal port-o-potties in the Municipality of Barrington.

It's a problem that seems to be somewhat unique to the area.

The latest portable toilet kidnapping occurred on July 11 when someone took the port-o-potty from the Stoney Island Beach, where the municipality has recently spent $15,000 to create a parking lot, has added a lifeguard service and has plans for further enhancements.

“This has happened numerous times in the past at Stoney Island Beach and also occasionally at some other areas in the municipality,” said Chris Frotten, CAO for the Municipality of Barrington. “In some cases, we have stopped placing them at certain places, including Stoney Island Beach, because of the frequency it was happening.”

Frotten said the municipality didn't report the theft to the RCMP as they were trying to encourage someone to come forward by way of social media.

"With no video surveillance or witnesses, it would be very difficult for the RMCP to find out who did it," he said.

According to the RCMP's provincial Public Information Officer, Cpl. Chris Marshall, from January 2020 to July 13, 2021 “we did not have a single report of a stolen port-a-potty in Nova Scotia (outside of the HRM).”

Several local municipal units and a company that is in the business of renting port-opotties were asked if they have ever had this problem and the response was no.

“We have not had any portable toilets stolen, but once we had one knocked over,” said Adam Dedrick, Director of Recreation and Parks for the Municipality of Shelburne.

“To be honest, it hasn't been a problem in our service area, which is Kings County and West Hants County,” said Scott Ennis from Valley Portable Toilets. “Since 2003 we have only had two units stolen.”

Frotten said for the time being the municipality has replaced the port-o-potty at the Stoney Island Beach with the one that was at the soccer field, as that is a less-used location. However, the municipality realizes this could cause inconveniences so it was trying to replace the one at the soccer field as soon as possible.

“We have a dozen that we own and are on a waiting list to rent others. We do not know when we may be able to rent some,” Frotten said.

The cost of a regular port-opotty is approximately $1,000.

Frotten said while the situation is getting a bit better, vandalism and property damage is still unfortunately a common problem for the municipality.

"It could be stolen or damaged signs, damaged lamps/ lampposts at North East Point or stolen or damaged port-opotties – there doesn't seem to be much respect for our property and it can be quite costly to repair or replace," he said.

Dedrick said the Municipality of Shelburne sustains some minor damage to infrastructure occasionally.

“It's usually things like a sign being stolen or damaged, or a trail barrier post being removed. We've had the same Welkum Park road sign stolen twice. It was returned the first time but the most recent time it was not," he said.

Cpl. Marshall said the RCMP do receive reports of thefts/damages to municipal properties/recreation facilities “from time to time, but generally speaking these are not frequent occurrences.”

Frotten notes the municipality doesn't always report vandalism/property damage to the RCMP.

“It depends on the severity and likelihood of an outcome,” he said.

COMMUNITY AFTERMATH

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2021-07-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-07-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://saltwire.pressreader.com/article/281560883812621

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