Spring Graffiti?

Harrison Police reported three cases of criminal mischief last week, including two cases in public parks. Although damage was minimal, graffiti and damage to property created an eyesore in the affected areas for several days.

All three incidents remain unsolved, but Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini said that he doesn't expect this to become a major issue for the town.

"They're generally isolated groups and it depends on who's out there," he said. "But it's not a chronic problem for us, it's a rare occurrence."

The incidents were reported from April 1 - 5. They included paint in a building in Veteran's Park, graffiti on a building on Halstead Avenue and a water fountain removed from the public restrooms in Brentwood Park. Damage from the water fountain was estimated at less that $250, damage from the graffiti will likely be valued at less.

Although the acts happened within the same five-day span, and were the first police have dealt with in a while, Marraccini said that these types of incidents are more likely this time of year.

"With the warm weather, more kids are walking around. So I would probably tell you it's some type of kid group," he said. "We do get it (graffiti) and I will tell you probably in the spring is the time of year that it is most predominant.

A look at each of the three locations revealed that all of the damage has been repaired or painted over as of Monday morning. Police are still looking into the matter, but the three cases are still open. If the problem persists, Marraccini said he would consider beefing up patrol to public parks, but said he doesn't think it is necessary at this time.

"If we felt that it was something that was a recurring problem we would increase our patrol and we would probably put together an action plan, as we have done in the past, to apprehend the suspects," he said. "I'll have to review the reports and see if I feel it is something that is going to be an issue."