2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Tagged By Vandals
Vandal responsible for tagging campus remains at large.
Tiffany Farmakis
Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: News
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According to Tom Lopez, Valley College facilities manager, the vandal has caused nearly $400 in damage to the men's Math/Science restroom. The metal shelves below the mirrors were bent and used as a step for the vandal to tag his initials above the ceramic tile.
"This has been going on several semesters," said Lopez. "The new restrooms are already being subjected to vandalism. This problem needs to be known."
Lopez says the entire cost for upgrading the bathrooms was approximately $725,000.
"I'm very disappointed that individuals don't respect college property," said Valley President Tyree Wieder. "These are tax-payer's dollars. The fact that an individual would abuse this is inexcusable."
According to 38-year-old Valley student, Michael McDonald, vandalism is a problem everywhere.
"Vandalism is just a territorial thing, people want to advertise who they are," he said. "I feel sad because I don't like how they mess up the mirrors since they can't be fixed for a while due to the budget."
Damage to several other bathrooms on campus has also been reported, particularly the bathrooms outside the cafeteria.
"[The suspect] has hit several bathrooms over time," said Deputy Sheriff Randy Tunistra, head of campus security. "The more he continues coming back and repeating his acts, the more chance he has of getting caught."
According to Tunistra, vandalism and property damage is a serious crime. The suspect may face a jail sentence.
"This is very disappointing especially when we just completed these restrooms," said Lopez. "I think this problem should be brought up to the students maybe through ASU. If nothing changes our new facilities will suffer the same fate."
Anyone with information is urged to call the Sheriff's office at 818-947-2911.
