Needle warning at beach follows 'terrible case' of vandalism

Visitors to Red Point Provincial Park in eastern P.E.I. are being warned there may be needles on the ground at the campground and in the surrounding area, including the beach.

Provincial parks manager Shane Arbing saida needle disposal container at the park was ripped off the wall, and there is no sign of the container or the needles that were in it. The province is concerned its contents may have been scattered around the campground.

"It's a terrible case of out and out vandalism," said Arbing.

"It puts our campers at potential risk, it puts our workers at potential risk. It's just a terrible thing to do. It baffles me that this would happen and it certainly caused us a great deal of concern in the last 24 hours."

Arbingsaid he brought extra staff to the park Tuesday to search the public areas, including the beach, and no needles were found. Campers at the park were also warned Tuesday afternoon.

Number of needles unknown

The sharps container had not been emptied this year, said Arbing. It has a full line that had not been reached. He said he has no idea how many needles might have been in it.

The province is advising visitors to wear appropriate footwear while visiting Red Point Provincial Park, and to be on the lookout for needles.

RCMPare investigating the incident. Park staff members are continuing to checkpublic areas including playgrounds, supervised beach areasand washrooms.

Anyone finding a needle shouldn'ttouch it, but notify park staff or Arbing via email or at 902-368-4404.

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