Municipal officials are expressing anger after the reported theft of a commemorative plaque from the site of the former Southwestern Regional Centre near Blenheim.
The plaque was installed at the site five years ago by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. It was meant as a memorial to anyone who was harmed at the facility, which served as a psychiatric hospital for patients with a variety of conditions and disabilities. It closed in 2008 after being open for 40 years.
Now, police are receiving reports that the plaque has been removed unlawfully. Mayor Darrin Canniff said theft of any kind in Chatham-Kent is unacceptable.
“Theft and vandalism of any kind is a stain on our community but when that theft is in regard to a vulnerable segment of the population it is particularly disgusting,” Canniff said. “I urge anyone with information on the incident to contact the Chatham-Kent police or Crime Stoppers.”
The mayor added that vandalism and theft can end up costing residents in terms of higher property taxes and insurance costs.
Councillor Anthony Ceccacci echoed that statement and said he was really disappointed to hear about the theft.
"That plaque has a major representation in our area. Especially in South Kent, to a lot of family members and prior residents that plaque has a very big meaning too it. A lot more value to it in regards to sentiment than what it's worth," he said.
Recently metal letters were stolen from the Legion Memorial Chapel in Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham. There's been no confirmation of a connection between the two incidents but Ceccacci said he's upset to hear about this may not have been a one-time thing.
"[I'm] just very disappointed and I'm very disappointed to hear there's been other issues like this," said Ceccacci.
However, Southwestern Regional Centre has been no stranger to controversy. Five years ago the province reached a settlement with several former patients of the facility who said they suffered extreme abuse and neglect during their time there. Some residents have been expressing their happiness on Facebook that the plaque was removed and joy over the fact that the final piece of evidence of the building is now gone.
A February 25 message on Facebook, described as a "happy posting" showed a photo of the missing plaque. It has since racked up over 75 "likes" and 38 comments, many of them agreeing with the poster's joy.
Ceccacci said this was the first time he was hearing that some people may be happy with the plaque's removal. He said he completely understands their feelings and understands that anything related to the facility may draw strong opinions on both sides.
"I guess some people will be happy, I don't blame them," he said. "It's subjective. Maybe its a way for them to forget the things, I do understand that. But there's a lot of people that that plaque has a lot of meaning to them too. It's tough for me, I just know the people I have spoken to are upset."
Overall, Ceccacci said he believes the issue comes down to the principle of somebody taking something that doesn't belong to them.
"Whether people think it should be there or shouldn't be there, if it's not there, it shouldn't be on somebody else's term," he said.