Residents in the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region were shaken by a spate of vandalism incidents over the weekend. Adriana Paredes, a Coteau-du-Lac resident, returned home from work on Saturday night to find her car’s back window shattered, presumably by a BB gun. Initially shocked and perplexed by the incident, Paredes expressed relief upon realizing it was not a targeted attack but part of a series of similar incidents reported by the Sûreté du Québec.
The police received over 60 reports of vandalism involving what appears to be a BB gun in various communities, including Rigaud, Saint-Lazare, Coteau-du-Lac, Les Cèdres, Saint-Zotique, Les Coteaux, and Saint-Polycarpe. According to SQ spokesperson Louis-Philippe Ruel, the vandalism seemed to be carried out by individuals in a moving vehicle randomly targeting cars and residences.
Simon Labelle, a Les Cèdres resident, recounted waking up on Sunday to discover his car’s rear windows shattered, along with several other vehicles in the neighborhood. The vandalism spree has caused significant damage to property, with repairs expected to be costly for affected families. The police have launched an investigation and are seeking any leads, including potential surveillance footage from the affected areas.
Adriana Paredes, despite having insurance, faces a $200 out-of-pocket expense to repair her car window. This unexpected cost has disrupted her routine, requiring time off work and additional childcare arrangements. Paredes emphasized the financial strain caused by the incident, especially as she had recently returned from maternity leave.
The community is reeling from the senseless acts of vandalism, with residents like Paredes calling for accountability and hoping for a swift resolution to the situation.