Months-long vandalism spree taking a toll in Port Angeles
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PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- It has spanned two months, caused thousands of dollars in damage, and puzzled police.
Investigators still aren't sure who is behind a months-long vandalism spree in Port Angeles, but they're hoping the public can help.
"It just ties up a lot of resources that could be used in a better way," said Sgt. Nick Turner of the Clallam County Sheriff's Office. "It increases taxes. It's a horrible impact on the community."
The most obvious impact has been on bus riders, Turner said, after windows in at least 15 bus shelters have been shot out since November. The most recent vandalism was discovered Monday, where someone shot at a large bus shelter window at US Hwy 101 and Monroe Street, leaving the glass spiderwebbed.
"Everyone in Clallam County is paying for it," said Terry Weed, general manager of Clallam County Transit. "From a taxpayer point of view, through sales tax, (the public is) funding our budget. It's also a safety issue. Luckily, no one's been hurt, to my knowledge, as a result."
Weed said that, on average, between two and four windows a year are broken on county bus shelters, either by accident or on purpose. So far, since mid-November, they've had more than 20 broken, likely by someone shooting with a BB or pellet gun, investigators said.
Store windows have also been broken, in addition to windows and cars at a local car dealership. In one case, a woman sitting in a car near 5th and Laurel Streets had her back window shot out, said Deputy Chief Brian Smith of the Port Angeles Police Department. The woman was not injured, and no arrests have been made.
"She noticed that her rear window had been spidered as it had been fired upon," Smith said. "Obviously we're frustrated for the amount of property loss. I mean, someone's paying for that. There's victims out there. It's damaging people's small businesses."
Smith also believes some damage may have gone unreported by people who feel it is insignificant or unimportant.
Transit crews can't keep up with the damage, Weed added. The cost of replacing each plate of glass costs hundreds of dollars in addition labor, he said, and many of the panes haven't been replaced while new ones keep getting broken.
It's a taxing issue on an agency that's already strapped for cash, having been in a deficit spending situation over the past 4 or 5 years.
"This is not a terribly big budget item, but it's a nickel and dime that we're trying to really carefully watch," Weed added. "It's really frustrating for staff."
Investigators still aren't sure who is behind a months-long vandalism spree in Port Angeles, but they're hoping the public can help.
"It just ties up a lot of resources that could be used in a better way," said Sgt. Nick Turner of the Clallam County Sheriff's Office. "It increases taxes. It's a horrible impact on the community."
The most obvious impact has been on bus riders, Turner said, after windows in at least 15 bus shelters have been shot out since November. The most recent vandalism was discovered Monday, where someone shot at a large bus shelter window at US Hwy 101 and Monroe Street, leaving the glass spiderwebbed.
"Everyone in Clallam County is paying for it," said Terry Weed, general manager of Clallam County Transit. "From a taxpayer point of view, through sales tax, (the public is) funding our budget. It's also a safety issue. Luckily, no one's been hurt, to my knowledge, as a result."
Weed said that, on average, between two and four windows a year are broken on county bus shelters, either by accident or on purpose. So far, since mid-November, they've had more than 20 broken, likely by someone shooting with a BB or pellet gun, investigators said.
Store windows have also been broken, in addition to windows and cars at a local car dealership. In one case, a woman sitting in a car near 5th and Laurel Streets had her back window shot out, said Deputy Chief Brian Smith of the Port Angeles Police Department. The woman was not injured, and no arrests have been made.
"She noticed that her rear window had been spidered as it had been fired upon," Smith said. "Obviously we're frustrated for the amount of property loss. I mean, someone's paying for that. There's victims out there. It's damaging people's small businesses."
Smith also believes some damage may have gone unreported by people who feel it is insignificant or unimportant.
Transit crews can't keep up with the damage, Weed added. The cost of replacing each plate of glass costs hundreds of dollars in addition labor, he said, and many of the panes haven't been replaced while new ones keep getting broken.
It's a taxing issue on an agency that's already strapped for cash, having been in a deficit spending situation over the past 4 or 5 years.
"This is not a terribly big budget item, but it's a nickel and dime that we're trying to really carefully watch," Weed added. "It's really frustrating for staff."
Someone should vandalise their pooooopers!!!!
@futhi151 Maybe they already do that in between trips to the game arcade...
Now, here's a perfect example of how retired seniors can put their skills to good use. Why not put together a posse of after-hours octogenarian snoops? They can each watch an individual bus stop while hiding in the shadows munching on dried apricots.
Why don't the police get out of the coffee shops and track these fools down thats what their getting paid for...
@Windowseat And just how do you suggest they do that? Call in a pshchic?
Not everyone has the same upbringing or sense of responsibilty. Thats why harsh laws actually work. Yea.. they do. Everyone understands fear. At some point, the consequence of getting caught outweighs the thrill of breaking other peoples s***.
Again, I just have to ask why? It just blows me away that people get their kicks by doing this. Just blows me away. WTF is wrong with these people?
@Zoso Obviously they don't have enough to do. Sounds to me like bored teenagers causing trouble. It's what kids these days call a social life. Sounds to me like they need some hard physical labor to get their mind off of vandalism.
 @swansong68 My thoughts exactly. It just blows me away how bored some people get. I know there have been times as a teen I've been bored and probably done some pretty odd stuff, but man, never would've thought to do anything like this. Very sad.
cops can't quite get a handle on this but want to be free to watch out for "real" crime? lol
What else is there for totally aimless skateboard-toting teens with all of their black clothing dragging the pavement, and body piercings to do in Clallam County, besides wait fot the next installment of "Twilight"?
So that's where the anarchists are hold up this winter.
It's time for the public to step in and start putting an end to this crap. In our society of people "not getting involved" with things they SHOULD get involved in, and butting in where they don't belong in others, looks like our priorities have reversed. Time to start whupping up on punks. I don't know about you all, but I'M sick of it. Our lenient justice system provides ZERO "fear factor" when it comes to deterring crime. Maybe it's time for the PUBLIC to take their communities back, and stop relying on an impotent justice system. Just a thought.
What difference does it make. When they catch the person or persons doing this, people will find some reason to excuse the behavior. Then there will be a plea for community service or some other crap to let the dirtbag off the hook.
I say public caning would do the trick. And make sure that all the  jr high and high schools get a copy of the caning to be shown at lunch hour.
Harsh I know. This kind of stuff is common in Singapore. And they dont have crime because its not worth the punishment.  I would absolutely guarantee you it would be effective at detering this kind of brazen destruction.
 @Get it Right Yea..and they beat them with canes over there too. Not a bad idea.
I'm willing to bet people have seen the suspect doing this stuff and were they types who don't ever call anything in. Awesome folk along with the perpetrator(s)Â
 @Citizen#3457899654 Careful you don't fall off that high cliff of assumption you are teetering on, you could get hurt!