Calgary showcases ‘Vandalism Gallery’ at the Peace Bridge

A creative campaign aimed at reducing vandalism is now open at the Peace Bridge.

The City calls it the “Vandalism Gallery,” which includes several hanging “works of art” that have been defaced in the hopes of reinforcing the fact that the Peace Bridge is not only a bridge but also a piece of art.

“In recent years, we have seen an increase in vandalism to the Peace Bridge’s glass panels, mainly from people throwing rocks at the bridge from the east riverbed,” said Charmaine Buhler, Bridge Maintenance Manager at Roads.

“These incidents tend to increase in the summer months, so we wanted to do something to raise awareness and encourage people to look after this piece of art,” said Buhler.

She hopes that the gallery will remind people that artwork is something to appreciate.

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Buhler adds that she hopes that it will encourage others to report suspicious behaviors related to vandalism activity.

The City is also looking at using materials other than glass for the panels on the bridge as it costs roughly $80,000 a year to remove and replace broken panels.

Apart from the campaign, the City is also adding daily patrols and security cameras to hopefully decrease broken panels.

“At the end of the day, vandalism to the bridge costs us all and it is an unnecessary expense. So, we are really hoping this campaign will decrease these incidents of vandalism and increase reporting,” Buhler said.