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Vandals hit park

Extensive paint scrawls expected to be removed or covered today

By Bob Albrecht
Published: July 20, 2010, 12:00am
2 Photos
Swimmers play Monday in Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Park.
Swimmers play Monday in Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Park. The park's restroom and concession stand building were vandalized with graffiti Sunday night. Photo Gallery

Lloyd Clark arrived Monday morning to his regular fishing hole to find possible gang graffiti painted on the walls of the restrooms at Klineline Pond.

The popular swimming and fishing destination was believed to have been struck late Sunday night, markings on the sides and roof of the restrooms and concessions facility left to signal the vandalism. A portable toilet located on-site was dumped over.

“It is quite a mess,” said Lloyd Clark, 71, of Vancouver. “I’ve never seen so much graffiti. It’s just unbelievable.”

Clark, who fishes at the park three or four times a week, added: “I don’t know why people would want to do that.”

Bill Bjerke, an operations superintendent with Clark County Public Works, said the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the facilities management department were notified Monday morning.

He said the vandalism occurred late Sunday after a caretaker who watches over the park had completed a stroll through the area and locked the restrooms.

An apparent crossed-out playing card that looked like an ace covered one wall, while possible names or initials were painted in green and blue nearby. Side-by-side on panels jutting out from the roof were the words “Pyro” and “Jet.”

A few children played along the pond’s edges Monday, using buckets to scoop and splash water.

“Luckily our caretaker locks the bathrooms at night,” Bjerke said. “It could have been worse.”

Bjerke said the facilities department began to clear the graffiti Monday in an effort that was expected to be completed today, hopefully before swimmers arrive to stay cool as highs are expected in the mid-80s. “We try to cover graffiti as soon as possible to reduce further activity,” Bjerke wrote in an e-mail.

Graffiti at area parks is on par with previous years, according to statistics provided by Bjerke.

Last year, there were 216 incidences of graffiti. So far this year, the number stands at 133.

Vancouver Police Sgt. Wayne Reynolds said logic supplies the juice for the theory that graffiti increases during the summer: Teenage taggers are more likely to leave their markings at the ends of longer days when they’re less likely to get caught.

“Kids are out of school,” Reynolds said. “The weather’s nicer so they’re out later and that’s when it happens.”

A $250 reward is available for information that leads to the arrest of anyone responsible for vandalizing or stealing county property. To request a tip sheet, call 360-397-2446.

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