Adjacent west Ottawa schools have been the target of repeated vandalism over several months, according to their school boards.

Georges Vanier Catholic School and W. Erskine Johnston Public School are neighbours on Varley Drive in Kanata, but they have also been victim of graffiti, forced doors and broken windows since October.

"It's hard to know how the vandals are thinking. I don't know, but it is certainly a problem and a community issue as well," said Olga Grigoriev, superintendent with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

Now there are eight infrared cameras monitoring Georges Vanier after eight nights of graffiti and smashed windows.

35 windows smashed in 1 night

At W. Erskine Johnston, 35 windows were smashed one night and most of them in a brand new kindergarten wing of the building, which opened in November.

Sgt. Maureen Hunt says it will take more than police patrols to stop vandals from striking Kanata schools. (Stu Mills/CBC)

The school was hit every night for nearly a week, according to Grigoriev.

The principal is now arriving early to help clean up the graffiti.

Ottawa police Sgt. Maureen Hunt, a long-serving community and school resource officer, said it will take more than police action to stop the perpetrators.

"Parents need to know where their children are at night, where they're going, what they're doing and have a chat with them when they get home," she said.

Hunt said the community will have to be extra alert to help police and the school boards halt the vandalism.