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MIDDLETOWN – The city’s skate park is closed until further notice after city workers discovered vandalism in Union Street Park. A Bloomingburg teenager has been charged with criminal mischief for his alleged role in the extensive damage.
On Tuesday August 10, 2021, Middletown City Police were alerted by Parks and Recreation Department staff to the vandalism that had been committed at the skate park. The damage included vulgar spray-painted symbols and hate speech on several areas of the skate park’s riding surface, with black spray paint.
Police said that due to the large amount of graffiti and its very offensive content, the skate park was immediately closed to the public until the writing could be properly removed by city staff. Attempts to clean up the area were unsuccessful due to the excessive amount of graffiti present and the delicate texture of the concrete running surface.
When city employees were unable to complete the repairs, the city then requested professional removal and surface repairs, with an estimated total repair cost of over $ 16,000. As of September 17, repairs were not yet complete, as the city struggled to schedule the work with a contractor.
Police investigated the incident, working with local businesses and community organizations to locate the suspects. Hours of surveillance footage was reviewed from multiple locations and officers were able to identify a suspicious vehicle manned by three people likely responsible for the damage.
On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, officers charged James Davis, 18, of Bloomingburg, with the felony of indictable mischief, the offenses of making graffiti and possession of graffiti implements, and two city code offenses in ” ban on skateboarding and use of a municipal park after opening hours. as part of the investigation.
The other two suspects are still at large and the police are looking for them. Anyone with information on these two individuals is encouraged to contact the Middletown Police Department at 845-343-3151. All calls will be kept confidential.
City officials issued a statement saying “Middletown Skate Park will remain closed to the public until any remaining damage can be fully repaired.” The City of Middletown regrets the inconvenience this incident has caused to those who use this park daily for personal enjoyment and exercise. This graffiti incident is just the latest in a series of vandalism and trespassing that has taken place at the skate park, but the Middletown Police Department is working closely with the Parks and Recreation Department on security solutions and other procedures to protect the site from future incidences of vandalism and criminal activity.
Since the park closed, the police department has had to deal with several people who entered or attempted to remove the temporary fence placed in the park by officers and recreation staff. The continued disregard for these markings and other safety equipment led the police department to issue summons to 18 people who were found inside the park. The Middletown City Police Department is asking for public support and cooperation as the city works to complete repairs and reopen the skate park. Police said they would continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to enforcing trespassing offenses or additional vandalism.
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