Top Six Ways Some Show The City Their “Love”

Beating up a parking meter for some ching a ling a ling or spray painting city property with some faux van Gogh inspiration are the two main ways some residents have shown their “love” for the city of Moose Jaw.

In statistics acquired through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request MJ Independent asked for all documents related to theft, wilful damage or misplaced items by third parties in the five year period from January 1, 2019 - January 28, 2026.

The City did not provide any in-depth documents about the thefts and vandalism although it was requested in the FOI.

Parking Meters Damage/Thefts Top List

In data the City lists thefts or damage to parking meters occurring 479 times during the five year period.

There are no annual breakdowns to the numbers in the documents to determine if the problem is on the rise or not.

The extensive damage to the parking meters has resulted in city council moving not to replace or use coin meters but rather go to a cashless system using smart phones and electronic only payments.

The move has drawn criticism from some in the community as it will be a barrier to people without smartphones - most notably seniors - to access services and goods downtown.

A parking meter busted early in the spree wasn’t replaced - MJ Independent file photo

Although the FOI is only statistical and does not list the perpetrators of the parking meter damage and thefts a source within the City of Moose Jaw, speaking confidentially as they were not authorized to speak to MJ Independent, said the damages and thefts were likely committed by “the homeless” and “meth heads looking for cash for their next fix.”

The thefts have become so brazen even the meters in front of the Moose Jaw Police Service on Fairford Street West have been targeted.

The FOI does not state how much money the rash of parking meter attacks has cost the City for repairs, replacements as well as lost income.

Graffiti Renoirs

The second most common damage or thefts to the City in five year period are graffiti incidents.

Despite some claiming it is just art the graffiti problems number in the hundreds of reported incidents.

The number of incidents covering City owned property is 334 in the five year period.

The figure does not take into account the number of private properties vandalized by spray bombs.

Public Greenspaces

The third largest incidents of thefts and vandalism happens in public parks, greenspaces and cemeteries.

In the five year period there were 149 incidents reported.

There was no breakdown as to the costs, what areas and the degree of damage caused.

Other/Misc

The City did not quantify exactly what this type of thefts or damages could be. There is no dollar figure as to the losses - if any.

It could be something as simple as busting a window right up to major fraud.

Recycle/Garbage Containers

We’ve all seen them in back alleys and not put properly away so they were a bit of a target to thieves and/or vandals.

There is no value as to the losses - if any - to the City but nevertheless it came in fifth in the list for the five year period.

Sign, Sign There Use To Be A Sign There

The sixth highest stolen or vandalized category in the last five years has been signage.

The City’s statistics record 21 instances involving signs.

There is no cost breakdown but costing over $100 each to purchase and erect it’s safe to say the City is out at least $2100 in the five year period.