Three teenagers were caught on camera vandalizing Plymouth’s River Park Square with graffiti.
Footage shows the teens spray painted the Center Stage and the concession stands building wearing ski masks to attempt to hide their identities.
In just the past few months, there have been two other vandalism incidents.
“It’s not…. we had vandalism back in December to the holiday decorations down at the same park and then recently a minor that destroyed one of our cameras at the same facility,” said Dave Cooper, Plymouth Parks Department Maintenance Supervisor.
Because of the recent uptick in vandalism the parks department has installed surveillance cameras throughout its parks to try to deter and or catch vandals.
“You can’t be policing 24 hours a day at all of our parks right now we have 260 acres much like many other towns throughout Indiana and it’s difficult to be at every single spot at every single second,” said Mike Heit, Plymouth Parks Department Superintendent.
Heit and Cooper saying they are disappointed and frustrated.
Spring is one of their busiest seasons and they have a lot of work to do.
“So, we had three guys down there on Monday morning, scrubbing the walls instead of picking weeds and getting ready in the spring we have so much to do they have to spend their time cleaning up from vandals,” said Heit.
Another frustration for the department? The costs.
They will have to repaint the building that was painted not too long ago to cover the graffiti.
“Cost is hard because no park budgets for vandalism and the Plymouth Park we work on a tight budget. You have to find money to take from somewhere else to repair things like this,” said Cooper.
The park is running out of ideas on how to stop vandalism. They are planning on investing in more cameras to catch the vandals and hold them accountable.
One local business is already donating $1500 to the parks department.
