Meter Coin Revenue Drop Likely Due To Theft\Mischief

How much exactly is vandalism to parking meters costing the City of Moose Jaw is a tough question to answer but the City’s quarterly reports may at least point to some of the answers.

The Quarterly Reports show a major drop year over year in coin revenues from parking meters.

In the latest quarterly report from Administration lists the coin revenues from quarter four (October - December) in 2025 as $44,756.73.

In quarter four (October - December) of 2024 the coin revenues were $117.838.11.

When you deduct the quarter four 2025 coin revenue from the quarter four 2024 coin revenue there is a year over year drop of $73,081.58.

Or a year over year quarter four drop of 62.01 percent.

Speaking to a confidential source within the City - who asked to remain anonymous as they were not approved to speak to MJ Independent - the large drop in coin revenues at parking meters can be tracked back to the homeless and drug addicts.

“Who else is wrecking the meters it’s not little old ladies,” the source said.

The money may have been stolen or the meter previously destroyed so drivers couldn’t plug the parking meters and don’t bother with the App. So the City loses the money, they said.

In a recent FOI to the City of Moose Jaw submitted by MJ Independent the number of parking meters vandalized or stolen in a five year period was 479.

The FOI asked for all documentation regarding these thefts and none was returned indicating if any of the vandalism or thefts were ever reported to the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS).

It is unknown from the documents provided if all, any or not any vandalism/theft was reported to the MJPS.

By coincidence the MJPS is presently seeking the identity of an individual who allegedly in broad daylight committed mischief to a parking meter. It is unknown if the complaint originated with the City who owns the parking meter.

Photo of individual the Moose Jaw Police Service is looking to identify for allegedly vandalizing a parking meter on March 12 - MJPS Facebook page

In the past Moose Jaw mayor and chair of the Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners James Murdock has told local media the thefts and vandalism is hard to crack down on because it isn’t being done in broad daylight.

The mayor stated in September 2025 the crimes were not happening between 9 am and 5 pm when the streets were full of people. The latest alleged mischief incident the MJPS is requesting the public’s assistance with is listed as happening on Thursday March 12th at 4:15 pm.

For the entire year of 2024 the City collected $467,293.94 in coin revenue from parking compared to $317,789.54 in coin revenue in 2025.

This is an annual drop from 2024 to 2025 of $149,504.40 or 32 percent.

The parking meter App route remains controversial as many point out seniors and others are not technologically savvy or own smartphones.

The City defends charging for parking in certain areas.

Parking fees and bylaw rules are used by the City to encourage people to move their vehicles to allow greater access to shops.

In the past free parking Downtown for the Christmas season to encourage shoppers was abandoned because too many store staff members parked all day in the spots.

Regina recently went coinless in its metered parking areas eliminating coins altogether. Moose Jaw is said to heading in the same route to help alleviate the ongoing vandalism problem.