Hundreds of memorial plaques stolen from Calgary cemetery

Hundreds of memorial plaques have been reported stolen from a northwest Calgary cemetery.

Police said in a news release that about 300 bronze plaques were taken from Queen's Park Cemetery at 3219 Fourth St. N.W.

It happenedbetween Aug. 18 and Aug. 23, they said.

Numerous bronze flower vases were also stolen from the cemetery, police said Friday.

Cemetery staff were notified of the missing plaques by family members. Staff then reported it to police.

Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm of the Calgary Police Service's general investigations unit called the thefts disrespectful.

He said police believe the thefts are linked to an increase in the price of all kinds of metals, including bronze, though he added that selling the plaques for scrap would result in "pennies on the dollar" of what they're worth.

Chisholm indicated the real value goes beyond money.

"It's all the work that goes into it. And, of course, it's the personal value, the intangible value," he said.

He said police are working with scrap metal buyersand asking them to be on the lookout for the plaques, adding that melting them down could result in fines.

"It's totally disrespectful for somebody to target a memorial plaque or a memorial item of any sort. Very disheartening," he said.

Anyone with information about this incident or other plaque theftsis asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.