City officials last week asked for the public’s help addressing an increase in vandalism affecting city parks and public spaces.

It’s not a new story, as we noted last week. Vandalism and theft of historical markers were stories in 2024 as well, with additional issues created by homeless encampments – particularly downtown – over the past couple of years.

In recent weeks, city staff have responded to numerous destructive incidents including the theft of flowers from decorative planters, vandalism to playground equipment and the deliberate damaging of park infrastructure, destruction of toilets, urinals, mirrors, partitions, pipes, and hand dryers in public restrooms, tampering with electrical outlets, posing severe risks of injury or fire, removal of bolts, cables, and structural components from public infrastructure-an act that threatens public safety, spray-paint graffiti on city buildings, signs and public surfaces, theft of plaques and historical markers, destruction of benches, pavilions, trash receptacles, and other amenities intended for public use and widespread trashing of parks and restrooms.

Random police patrols of trouble spots could help a little bit. The public quickly reporting issues they see could help too. More policing and more cameras, in our opinion, aren’t the answer.

The fastest way to deal with the types of knucklehead behavior the city is seeing is deterrence. Unfortunately state law won’t allow for that. The vandalism we’re seeing is a pain for those who want to use the parks this summer as school comes to an end. But what’s the worst that’s going to happen when someone is found responsible for vandalism? We’d say a slap on the wrist, but honestly that feels like an overstatement. Until there is a real repercussion for people who destroy public property the behavior will continue happening. Think public service helping repair damage or, if the behavior continues, hefty fines for repeat offenders.

State laws make it difficult to punish serious crimes, much less petty vandalism or destruction of public property. Until that changes, we’ll continue dealing with these issues. And we won’t be able to have nice things.