A Niagara Region resident has reportedly been charged following a vandalism spree in the lakeside town of Kincardine that left its downtown business community reeling.
Some small businesses were closed Tuesday and sections of its Queen Street business area were temporarily closed after the smashing of windows at multiple locations.
Crews were on scene cleaning up and helping businesses secure their premises, the town on the shores of Lake Huron said in a news release.
“To say we were shocked and saddened by the news this morning is an understatement,” Cherie Leslie, the town's community economic development officer said, noting the businesses are already facing challenges.
“These businesses are already experiencing impacts with the downtown construction and to see their livelihoods attacked in the middle of the night is heartbreaking.”
Mayor Kenneth Craig urged the community to show support for the businesses. "Let’s take the negative actions of one person and turn it into something positive by supporting these local businesses who are so committed to our community.”
The OPP arrived in the early morning hours Tuesday to find the front windows and doors of 11 businesses broken. A single individual caught on scene is in custody.
Some of the photos from the scene show large stones or slabs appearing to have been thrown through windows.
South Bruce OPP said a 39-year-old Niagara Region resident has been charged with 11 counts of mischief under $5,000.
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Walkerton.
Police did not release the person's name or the name of the community in which the person resides.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
