Police investigate break-in at Hantsport Fire Hall

By Christy Marsters

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Police have linked incidents occurring during the evening of July 1 -- a vehicle stolen in Hantsport and a break-in at the Hantsport Fire Hall.

Community Cst. Patricia Davis says the vehicle stolen in Hantsport was later recovered in Colebrook with no damages done to it. The Fire Hall was also broken into with damages being done to a few doors and a case of beer being taken from the bar.

It’s not normal to have to deal with these types of crimes during Canada Day in Hantsport, Davis said. “Usually July 1 is quiet.”

These two incidents have definitely been connected to each other, Davis added. “However, we’re still investigating.”

Hantsport Fire Chief Paul Maynard was notified of the burglar alarm activation at the hall at around 3:30 a.m. and arrived to find the back door kicked in and the bar invaded.

Hantsport firefighters spent most of Canada Day assisting with community events and raising funds for a new rescue truck, Maynard said. “Unfortunately, all the hard work of our volunteers’ fundraising will end up going to repairs of the damages at the fire station… We will have to invest in additional alarm and security equipment, also.

“It’s such a huge risk to the community should someone decide to break in and steal a fire truck or piece of life safety equipment,” Maynard said. “And, this is something not foreign to fire departments throughout Nova Scotia.”

It is a frustrating situation when individuals take advantage of the people who work for every resident of this community 24 hours a day, seven days a week in some of the worst conditions possible, Maynard added. “These people have no respect for the community.”