Officials with a new brewery starting up in downtown Wallaceburg are urging other business owners to be on their guard with a spate of vandalism.
Glasstown Brewing Company Operations Manager Allie Burgess says recent incidents, including fire damage on the boardwalk, has been very frustrating.
“It definitely did look like a bonfire, (there) was quite extensive damage on the boardwalk, which I know the Downtown BIA has put so much (work) into this year,” Burgess says. “A lot of local businesses are feeling the burn from that, it’s not nice to see the opposite energy go in that we’re trying to put in.”
David Draper with Glasstown Brewing says the community needs to come together to help keep the downtown core safe.
“I think that even the community being a little more involved in the whole downtown area at night would help, a little more adult presence, maybe,” Draper says. “We’re putting a lot of effort into making the downtown beautiful and we want to see it thrive and be wonderful for everyone.”
Earlier this week, Glasstown co-owner Todd Shepley told CKXS News he has requested Chatham-Kent Police increase patrols in the area, however has not filed any official reports about the recent vandalism.
Shepley has also been in touch with municipal officials, including Wallaceburg councillor Aaron Hall, about the issue.