Five weeks after the show, a new mural in Vancouver’s Chinatown was damaged. The move rekindled the anger and frustration of the community and traders because it was part of a movement to improve the neighborhood.
It’s really frustrating because ultimately small businesses are sufferingsaid Bradley Spence, CEO ofeeveesa company that specializes in the sale of Segways and electric scooters.
Video captured by the store’s surveillance camera shows an individual using spray paint on the outside wall of a nearby store, Ten Ren Tea, covering part of the mural by artist Seeroro, aka Carolyn Wong.
I wouldn’t say we were anticipating something like this, but it’s not surprising, and it’s always disheartening when it happens.said Jordan Eng, the president of Chinatown Business Improvement Association (BIA), the organization behind the artistic project, which pays homage to the Chinese community and its traditions.
Shortly after his business surveillance cameras captured photos of the vandal, Bradley Spence recognized the criminal on the street. He first called the 911 emergency line, but the operator allegedly refused to send a police car to the scene.
So he decided to confront the suspect himself, while filming him with his phone: During those times, I didn’t really think about what I was doing. I think, all the frustration these past few months has motivated me to take action.
The neighborhood has been plagued by a recurring problem of vandalism and graffiti. Bradley Spence’s business has had to pay more than $ 30,000 in repairs since it opened 14 months ago. He even admitted that he sometimes wakes up at night to watch surveillance cameras: I’m glad I had the opportunity to tell him the way I think.
Vancouver police said, via email, they have identified the suspect and are continuing their investigation. But Bradley Spence believes the authorities are not doing enough. He wants to see more responsibility of those who do evil. I believe these people should need to clean up the graffiti itself. This is likely to have more of an impact than a fine they are unlikely to payhe believes.
He also wants to see more public accountability. Surprisingly, in the 20-minute video, several passersby walked next to the man without interfering, some in a group., says Bradley Spence. He believes witnesses should, at a minimum, call the police and report wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Jordan Eng acknowledges the support of members of the graffiti artist community: There is an unwritten law in this community that prohibits destroying the art of other artists. There is condemnation of this kind of wrongdoing.
He believes that vandalism is a symptom of a larger social problem that society must address. I feel sorry for the people who experience harm, but also for the people who engage in this type of destructive behavior. They also have their own problemsdoes he think.
Although not violent crimes, these acts violate, according to him, the right of community members to live in a calm and pleasant environment.
This goes beyond the impact on businesses. We have some seniors living in the neighborhood Chinatown since a long time. It is important that these people continue to be proud of their neighborhood and their community.Jordan Eng believes.
He hopes people will continue to come and visit the neighborhood and support businesses and communities: We need Vancouverites and tourists to keep going on the streets Chinatown. Merchants will welcome you.
The mural, meanwhile, should be cleaned and restored in the next few weeks.
Source: Radio-Canada
