Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Saturday, July 05, 2008

Vandalism at old Bangor school solved

By MATTHEW PERENCHIO | Lee Newspapers

BANGOR, Wis. — Authorities have apprehended the people believed to be behind the trashing of the old Bangor middle and high school building almost a year after the incident.

“It’s solved,” Bangor Police Chief Scott Alo said. “We just continued to investigate and talk to people, and we just got to the point where things lined up.”

Alo said the investigation of the vandalism — which caused about $35,000 worth of damages — really came together in the past month, and police apprehended four juveniles on charges of felony criminal damage to property. Three were from Bangor and one had been living in Milwaukee.

Alo said he was expecting to be able to refer the case to La Crosse County Human Services this week.

The vandalism occurred July 7, 2007, and was reported the next day by a summer recreation worker. There had been no forced entry to the building.

Every room in the building sustained some type of damage. Vandals painted graffiti throughout the building’s carpet and walls, broke numerous interior windows and glass panes and even defecated in one room. Various storage items — such as computers, games and supplies — were damaged and thrown about, and fire extinguishers were discharged. It also appeared as if a small fire was started on the floor of the old library.

Alo said all four are boys and, at the time of the offense, the three Bangor boys were ages 13 and 14 while the Milwaukee boy — who had been living in Bangor — was 15.

Alo said the vandalism wasn’t gang-related.

“According to their statements, it was just something to do,” Alo said.

The building at 401 14th St. S. previously served the district’s seventh- through 12th-grade students. The main portion of the building was built in 1917, while the gymnasium was added in the 1960s. Classes and offices were moved to the district’s newer facility 11 years ago, but the building has still been used for storage, recreation programs and middle school activities.

Bangor First Responders occupy a portion of the building, but vandals did not gain access to that section.

Matthew Perenchio is assistant editor at the Coulee News in West Salem.