Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Friday, May 09, 2008
Westby police solve Davidson Park vandalism mystery
A Westby Police Department investigation solved a crime Thursday night that had raised the ire of many local residents — vandalism at the city’s beloved Davidson Park.
The vandalism included spray-painted “gang-type” graffiti on a number of facilities and rocks at the park and damage inside the park’s restroom. Police were informed of the vandalism on Sunday.
“A tip led to a search warrant and that led to a videotape,” Westby Police Chief Mitch Hundt said. “It’s kids, two 16-year-olds ... and that’s what we thought in the first place.”
Hundt said the police department had asked the Westby Times to prominently cover the vandalism case in its edition this week to bring public attention to the matter. The Westby Times responded with front page photos and a story. He said the partnership with the newspaper was a success.
Davidson Park is the site of Westby’s weekly gathering in the summer called “Hamburgers in the Park,” where various musical groups perform for entertainment while people eat hamburgers and visit under the shade of tall trees. The park is home to an unusual natural formation of boulders and a playground.
While the graffiti was gang-style, Hundt said there is no significant gang activity in Westby, characterizing the act as that of gang wannabe youths.
“There’s no real numbers or means for them to organize,” Hundt said.
Because all involved are juveniles, the matter will be handled by juvenile authorities.
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