Corner Brook removes parking meters following spike in downtown vandalism

Alex Kennedy · CBC News

· Posted: May 03, 2025 4:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: 42 minutes ago

The mayor of Corner Brook says a crisp summation successful the vandalism and theft of the city's parking meters has prompted officials to region them altogether.

Speaking with CBC News connected Wednesday, Jim Parsons said 91 of the city's 166 parking meters — oregon astir 54 per cent of each meters — person been vandalized since Jan. 25.

"We've had issues successful the past wherever you'd person a fewer metres vandalized oregon stolen, chopped disconnected oregon stolen. But yes, this has been remarkable," Parsons said.

"Certainly is precise frustrating for the businesses and for the metropolis itself."

For now, the metropolis has decided to cease parking enforcement — meaning drivers won't get ticketed.

Other parking options are besides being explored, Parsons said, similar integer options utilized successful different municipalities.

"The mechanical meters that we've been utilizing implicit the past fig of years, they're getting aged and successful information it's hard to find parts for them," helium said. "This has truly hastened the request to bash a caller system."

WATCH | Corner Brook politician says the downtown has seen an summation successful petty crime:

Parsons said each metre costs thousands to replace. The metropolis makes astir $40,000 a twelvemonth successful parking revenue, helium said, but enforcement costs transcend that.

The parking meters are one illustration of what Parsons said is an summation successful vandalism successful downtown Corner Brook.

"Some smashed windows and things similar that. Of people we don't privation to spot immoderate ... summation successful break-ins oregon different inconvenience crimes. You know, the origin of this is not precisely known. I fishy it has to bash with accrued addiction and intelligence wellness issues successful the downtown," helium said.

CBC News asked the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary for an interview, but the unit declined to marque anyone available.

In an emailed statement, RNC director of communications Danielle Barron said constabulary arrested a 21-year-old antheral connected Feb. 17 successful transportation with the vandalism of parking meters. He was charged with mischief and failing to comply with a merchandise order.

Parsons said the removal of meters could effect successful different petty crime, but added the metropolis is successful changeless interaction with the RNC.

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