A search is on for the vandals who spray painted two monuments this week at Rock Creek Veterans Park in Gainesville.
Staff with Gainesville Parks & Recreation discovered the orange graffiti Tuesday, May 12, according to the agency's Marketing and Communications Director Julie Butler Colombini.
"The damage was limited to spray paint and removed quickly by parks staff," Columbini said in an email statement.
Even though the damage was minimal, the Gainesville Police Department wants to know who is responsible.
"Investigators are working leads in the case," said Lt. Kevin Holbrook. "This is a criminal case. It's not just a prank and it's going to be investigated to the full extent."
Holbrook said it doesn't appear the damage was directed at veterans or members of the military in particular. He also said there's no concrete evidence that points toward gang activity.
"We do not have anything to lead us to believe that it is necessarily gang-related, although that's possibly what these individuals want us to believe," Holbrook said.
The vandals used orange spray paint to write words and symbols on the concrete in front of the monument dedicated to the veterans of the 20th century wars; they also used the spray paint on the front of a free-standing Vietnam veterans monument.
Even though police do have some leads, Holbrook encouraged anyone with information to contact the police department by phone or via the city website where tips can be submitted anonymously.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/5/1005422/police-search-for-vandals-who-spray-painted-monuments-at-veterans-park