Vandals have struck again, causing significant damage to public property in Saint-André-des-Eaux, near Saint-Nazaire, where two school buses and multiple kiosks were targeted over the weekend. This vandalism occurred during the night of January 18 to January 19, resulting not only in shattered glass but also damage to community resources, including the local bread vending machine.
According to Mathieu Coënt, the mayor of Saint-André-des-Eaux, the attacks were precise and organized, taking place between 0:40 and 1:40. The school buses, parked at the sports complex lot, had their front door windows broken, showing the intentional nature of the damages inflicted on the vehicles operated by the local transport company, Stran. Coënt noted, "Nos caméras de vidéoprotection montrent que les actions, très structurées, se sont déroulées entre 0 h 40 et 1 h 40," indicating the potential for identifying the culprits through surveillance footage.
Local authorities acted swiftly after discovering the vandalism. The elected officials on duty contacted Stran immediately, allowing for prompt action to secure the affected kiosks as the public transport service ensured continuity the following morning.
With safety being affected, the Guérande gendarmerie has taken charge of the investigation. Lieutenant-colonel Cédric Sautier stated, "Nous avons fait une réquisition pour analyser les vidéos," underscoring the importance of video evidence in illuminating the identities of those responsible for the egregious acts. The police are also considering reports from residents, including one who noted the presence of a suspicious vehicle around the time of the vandalism.
Alongside the damages to the school buses and kiosks, the local bakery, Au Fournil Andréanais, reported damage to one of its bread vending machines, saying on their Facebook page, "Des petits malins se sont amusés cette nuit en cassant l’écran de notre distributeur, le rendant inutilisable pour le moment. […] Nous espérons qu’il sera réparé au plus vite! Veuillez nous excuser pour la gêne occasionnée." This incident underlines the growing concern over public safety and property maintenance within the community.
The mayor, having addressed these issues, emphasized the municipality's commitment to enhancing security. Currently, there are about 40 surveillance cameras patrolling various areas and plans are underway to increase this number to 60. The additional cameras are expected to bolster the community's security efforts, capturing and deterring future acts of vandalism.
The recent series of vandalism serves as a wake-up call for the Saint-André-des-Eaux community, highlighting the need for vigilance and proactive measures. With local authorities on alert and citizens rallying for repairs and security improvements, the hopes for restoring peace of mind within this vivid town remain high. Committing to community safety through strategic surveillance and responsive governance seems to be the route forward as residents await the rehabilitation of the damaged public property.