NEWS

More vandalism reported over holiday weekend

Bethany Bruner
Reporter

NEWARK – Nearly 20 additional reports of vandalism were filed with the Newark Division of Police over the holiday weekend, with vehicles being the primary targets.

According to Newark police reports, nine people reported vehicles being spray-painted on Saratoga Avenue, sometime before 7 a.m. Saturday.

An additional three people reported vehicles with spray paint on Granville Street and four more reported vandalism on Meadow Drive.

Reports indicate a truck and an apartment complex sign were reported damaged on the 1500 block of Crystal Court before 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Spray paint was reported to have been stolen from a vehicle on the 100 block of Pierson Boulevard sometime before 7:56 p.m. Sunday.

First Baptist Church, 1000 Granville Road, reported its sign had been vandalized Sunday morning. It is the third church since June 25 to have a sign defaced with graffiti and imagery commonly associated with the devil.

Sgt. Bert Gliatta said police are continuing to investigate the vandalism and ask anyone with knowledge of the crimes to contact police.

He said there is not a whole lot people can do to prevent vandalism like this from occurring.

“If the area is well-lit, that would sometimes deter suspects from engaging in the vandalism if they’re being exposed,” he said. “The people who are doing this have very little regard for other people’s property.”

Gliatta said he is hopeful police will be able to identify and charge the people responsible for the recent vandalism.

Newark is not the only area that has been hit by vandalism. Ten vehicles were spray painted on Fieldpoint Road in Heath last week.

Additional acts of vandalism have been reported through various social media, but may not have been reported to police.

bbruner@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8543

Twitter: @bethany_bruner

If you are a victim of vandalism, here are some steps you can take:

• Call the police to report the crime. This allows police to know the incidents are occurring and step up patrols in your area. It can also help determine if there’s a larger pattern of behavior.

• Get an estimate for damage repairs, if necessary.

• If a suspect is charged, sign up for victim notification and fill out a victim impact statement.