Berlaar (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Vandals wrecked Berlaar’s memorial garden at night, also linked to damage at a petanque court. Acting Mayor Wim Soons condemned it; police increased patrols, but no arrests yet.
As VRT News reported, in the quiet convent garden of the Sisters of Berlaar, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, a corner made for remembering loved ones has been badly damaged. The small memorial was ruined by vandals who pulled down the signs and broke them into pieces.
Marieke Jacobs from the Ferm association, who designed the space with care, was heartbroken when she saw what had happened.
“I designed this place myself,”
She said.
“People who come here feel calm and quiet. They can tell me their stories when I’m here.”
What caused the vandals to target Berlaar’s memorial garden?
Marieke, who helped create the garden, stood among the ruins and wondered why anyone would do this.
“We live here in Berlaar in such a gentle, warm community,”
She said.
“I don’t understand how there are people who can do something like that.”
Many believe the garden can be repaired and once again bring comfort to those who visit.
“I don’t understand how people can do something like that in such a soft, warm community like Berlaar.”
The city council thinks the vandals caused the damage at night, when the place was empty and no one could see them. Investigators believe this is not the first time they struck and think the same people also pulled down poles at a petanque court nearby.
Acting mayor Wim Soons (CD&V) spoke out against the act, calling it “simply crappy behaviour” and saying it was very disrespectful and pointless. The destruction has upset many locals, who mentioned that the site is important to people who come there to think, remember, and find some peace.
There are no security cameras in place at the memorial garden site of the damage. Nobody has been detained at this time. No suspects have yet emerged. The police are now patrolling Berlaar. They hope the increase in patrols will reduce further damage and generate tips on who is responsible.
Earlier this year, a small park in a nearby village was also damaged when unknown vandals tore out trees and smashed benches during the night. Police said there were no cameras in that location either, which made finding the culprits difficult. More patrols were added after the incident, but no one was ever arrested.
