NORFOLK, Va. — Four passengers on a recent cruise out of Norfolk have reported their cars were vandalized in a city-run parking lot while they were on their trip.
A woman (who wanted to remain anonymous) was one of at least two people who reported this incident to 13News Now. She says she saw posts on Facebook about damaged cars at the Cedar Grove parking lot, where she paid $90 to park for the week while on the cruise ship.
"I was just praying our car wasn't one, but we showed up and my car's rear driver side window was smashed in and all my belongings were just ransacked and spread out," she said. "They say it was 24-hour security, which it couldn't have been if these cars are broken into...it's just ridiculous."
The Burdette family from West Virginia who went on the cruise ship heard about what happened. Belle Burdette says she was with her mom going back to the parking lot when she saw the posts on social media.
"I'm running and I finally get to it [the damage] and the wreck is about a foot away from our car," said Belle Burdette. "There were several cars around us with so much damage. The security guy was just standing there, not really consoling the people whose cars got ruined."
Their car did not get damaged, but Belle's mother, Cyndi Burdette said, "I can't imagine being that far away from home and having that kind of damage after coming off of vacation."
For these vacationers, they say they are now a little hesitant about returning to Norfolk for their next cruise trip.
"I want them to figure out who is responsible for this," said the one passenger. "They need to reimburse us the $90 we had to pay for parking. Now, we have to get our window fixed. That's more money than we wanted to pay."
The Norfolk Police Department confirmed Monday morning that the vandalism happened in the parking lot on Monticello Avenue.
“Cedar Grove parking lot is the designated parking lot for Carnival Cruise Ship cruises that initiate at Half Moone Terminal. We provide 24 hour roving security to the lot through our contracted security provider. So, we are unclear how these break-ins could occur and we are investigating," a statement provided by the city said Monday.
"All impacted passengers should please contact the Norfolk’s City Attorney’s Office 757-664-4529 to file a claim. Going forward we are working with NPD and the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office to supplement the security services at the lot. In addition, we are looking to install camera security for the lot."
13News Now has also reached out to the security company, Allied Universal, that was working when the incident occurred.
This is a developing story.
