Vandals have struck again at the StoryBook Theater in Beddington

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For the fourth time in two years, vandals have struck again at the Beddington Center for the Performing Arts, home to StoryBook Theatre.

StoryBook art producer JP Thibodeau said the back doors were damaged around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday and captured on Ring Camera.

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“This is the second time vandals have broken down the door in less than six months,” Thibodeau said.

On April 29, the windows of the upper floor were broken with stones; a neighboring school was also targeted.

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Thibodeau said it was difficult to know who was responsible for the attacks.

“In the video, you can see a person deliberately hiding, breaking a window and trying to escape.”

Thibodeau said three laptops have been stolen in the past three months. “Unfortunately, we don't know when this happened – whether it was during the break or not.”

Other acts of vandalism involving broken doors or windows occurred in October 2022 and July 2023.

“I don't know how to prevent it,” he said.

It's a blow to the nonprofit, Thibodeau said.

“I don't think people understand that. They think, “Oh, the insurance will cover it,” but it doesn't; items are discounted. Each event is subject to an individual deductible, so the deductibles alone are about $10,000 for these individual events.”

He said the loss from property damage and stolen laptops is about $20,000. “It actually comes out of the organization's pocket. We're already suffering from funding cuts, and we're limited to that.”

StoryBook Theater has set up a link to a donation page to help cover the damage.

Postmedia has reached out to Calgary police for comment.

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