Calgary's Memorial Plaque Thefts: Bronze Metal Targets Fuel Crime Spree
In a disturbing trend that police describe as a recurring pattern tied to warmer weather, memorial plaques across Calgary are being systematically stolen, with many honoring historic events, military sacrifices, and prominent citizens. The recent disappearance of a plaque from the Quinterra Legacy Garden, which commemorates five young people killed in the 2014 Brentwood stabbing, highlights this ongoing issue that has plagued the city for years.
A Pattern of Disappearance
According to the Calgary Police Service, there have been at least 28 reported incidents involving stolen bronze or metal plaques since 2020, with seven occurring just last year. This problem shows no signs of abating, as thieves continue to target these commemorative markers in public spaces.
In late January, a bronze plaque was removed from a statue of Gen. James Wolfe in South Mount Royal Park. Earlier this month, police confirmed the theft of a bronze plaque from the Quinterra Legacy Garden in South Glenmore Park, which honors five post-secondary students fatally stabbed at a house party in Brentwood in April 2014.
Historical Targets
The thefts extend beyond recent memorials to include historically significant markers. Last year, four bronze plaques were stolen from brick pillars at the entrance to Hart House, the former home of wrestling legend Stu Hart. In 2023, thieves took seven commemorative brass plaques from outside The Hangar Flight Museum, most honoring Allied air forces in the Second World War.
Police charged three people in 2022 after hundreds of bronze plaques and flower vases were stolen from Queen's Park Cemetery. Plaques commemorating Victoria Cross recipients at Currie Barracks, along with other military memorial markers, have also been reported missing. Other historic thefts have included plaques at Ukrainian Pioneers Park and George Murdoch Park, which honors Calgary's first mayor.
The Economic Motivation
Police say the primary reason behind these thefts is economics. Most stolen commemorative plaques are made of bronze, an alloy containing copper, which commands high prices in the scrap metal market. Calgary Police Sgt. Nick Wilsher explained that while people might assume these plaques have little value, the opposite is true.
"It's that bronze that these people are after," Wilsher said. "Perpetrators are thinking, well, if I steal a bronze plaque, I can then melt it down and hopefully there'll be enough copper in it that I'll get a good price."
He added that copper is particularly sought after by thieves who typically sell it to recyclers for cash, often to support addiction habits. This creates what police describe as "a crime of opportunity" that tends to increase during warmer months when more people are outdoors and plaques are more accessible.
Community Impact
The thefts represent more than just metal loss—they erase tangible connections to Calgary's history and collective memory. From military honors to remembrances of tragic events like the Brentwood stabbings, these plaques serve as important markers of community identity and shared experience.
As the problem persists, authorities continue to investigate these crimes while communities grapple with the emotional toll of having their memorials violated. The pattern suggests that without intervention, Calgary's commemorative landscape will continue to be targeted by thieves seeking quick profit from scrap metal markets.
