MONROE - After having windows broken five times over the past 14 months, Elwin and Verla Rackow are frustrated and angry.
They want something done.
"People don't realize this is going on," Verla said. "If people around the neighborhood and around town knew this was going on, they might help find out who is doing this. They might be on the lookout for these guys."
They're also disappointed with the fact their home has been vandalized repeatedly.
"You wouldn't expect something like this to happen in Monroe," Verla said.
There isn't a pattern to the vandalism. It happened in June, July, September and October of 2009 and again in July of this year. The only similarity with the incidents is that rocks were thrown through their windows, usually through their living room window but once through the bedroom window. In June 2009, a 50-pound retaining wall brick from their back yard was thrown through the front window.
"We've spent over $3,000 to replace the windows," Elwin said.
The couple have replaced the carpeting in their living room because of the broken pieces of glass. But they consider themselves fortunate that no one has been injured.
In one incident, their 16-year-old granddaughter was sleeping on the living room floor when the 50-pound brick was thrown through the window. The brick broke the arm of a rocking chair as well as the window.
"If her younger brother had been staying overnight the same night, one of them might have been hit by the brick," Verla said.
In another incident, Elwin was sleeping on the floor of the bedroom due to back problems when a rock came through the window and landed on the bed. Had he been in bed, he would have been hit, Verla said.
So far, the police haven't been able to find the who is responsible for the vandalism.
It frustrates the Rackows, but it also frustrates the police, Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said.
"We don't feel right about not having protected the public," Kelley said. "We're angry about this too.
"I have sympathy for the Rackows."
Kelley wouldn't comment on what actions the police have taken to solve the crime. He doesn't want to tip off the criminals.
What makes these crimes, and other vandalism, so frustrating is that the perpetrators don't have a pattern, Kelley said.
"They control the time and place of when these incidents occur," Kelley said of the criminals.
There have been about eight incidents of windows broken over the past year, Kelley said. The incidents have been within a 10-block area.
Kelley said the incidents shouldn't be confused with a prank. It's more serious than that, he said.
"These are crimes," he said. "This is criminal damage to property and if the damage exceeds $2,500, it can be considered a felony. When we catch them, we'll prosecute them."
No one has been able to give police a good identification of people who have in the area at the time of the incidents. No one has seen or heard a vehicle. Kelley hopes that someone will see something to provide police with a tip to solve the crimes.
Kelley suggested people report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.
Anyone with information can contact the Monroe Police Department at (608) 329-2400.
Green County Crime Stoppers is also seeking information about the vandalism.
Anyone with information can contact Green County Crime Stoppers at (800) 422-7463. People can also text Crime Stoppers by typing "GREENTIP" plus 274637.
Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000.
They want something done.
"People don't realize this is going on," Verla said. "If people around the neighborhood and around town knew this was going on, they might help find out who is doing this. They might be on the lookout for these guys."
They're also disappointed with the fact their home has been vandalized repeatedly.
"You wouldn't expect something like this to happen in Monroe," Verla said.
There isn't a pattern to the vandalism. It happened in June, July, September and October of 2009 and again in July of this year. The only similarity with the incidents is that rocks were thrown through their windows, usually through their living room window but once through the bedroom window. In June 2009, a 50-pound retaining wall brick from their back yard was thrown through the front window.
"We've spent over $3,000 to replace the windows," Elwin said.
The couple have replaced the carpeting in their living room because of the broken pieces of glass. But they consider themselves fortunate that no one has been injured.
In one incident, their 16-year-old granddaughter was sleeping on the living room floor when the 50-pound brick was thrown through the window. The brick broke the arm of a rocking chair as well as the window.
"If her younger brother had been staying overnight the same night, one of them might have been hit by the brick," Verla said.
In another incident, Elwin was sleeping on the floor of the bedroom due to back problems when a rock came through the window and landed on the bed. Had he been in bed, he would have been hit, Verla said.
So far, the police haven't been able to find the who is responsible for the vandalism.
It frustrates the Rackows, but it also frustrates the police, Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said.
"We don't feel right about not having protected the public," Kelley said. "We're angry about this too.
"I have sympathy for the Rackows."
Kelley wouldn't comment on what actions the police have taken to solve the crime. He doesn't want to tip off the criminals.
What makes these crimes, and other vandalism, so frustrating is that the perpetrators don't have a pattern, Kelley said.
"They control the time and place of when these incidents occur," Kelley said of the criminals.
There have been about eight incidents of windows broken over the past year, Kelley said. The incidents have been within a 10-block area.
Kelley said the incidents shouldn't be confused with a prank. It's more serious than that, he said.
"These are crimes," he said. "This is criminal damage to property and if the damage exceeds $2,500, it can be considered a felony. When we catch them, we'll prosecute them."
No one has been able to give police a good identification of people who have in the area at the time of the incidents. No one has seen or heard a vehicle. Kelley hopes that someone will see something to provide police with a tip to solve the crimes.
Kelley suggested people report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood.
Anyone with information can contact the Monroe Police Department at (608) 329-2400.
Green County Crime Stoppers is also seeking information about the vandalism.
Anyone with information can contact Green County Crime Stoppers at (800) 422-7463. People can also text Crime Stoppers by typing "GREENTIP" plus 274637.
Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000.