MONROE - Vandalism throughout Monroe over the past five months has left the police department looking for tips.
"It's frustrating," Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said. "It's frustrating for us and frustrating for the victims."
Since May, Kelley said, 122 vandalism incidents have been reported. Although Kelley didn't have specific numbers to compare this year with other years, he said the cases seem substantially higher than average.
Many recent incidents have involved lawn ornaments and gazing balls, Kelley said.
"They take things from lawns and then smash them against cars or buildings," Kelley said.
The people who take the lawn ornaments don't necessarily destroy them close to where they stole them, he added.
"It means that these people are moving around," he said.
It's hard to narrow down where the incidents occur because they have been reported throughout the city. There is also no way to know the age of the vandals, Kelley said.
"These are hard cases to work on. We'd love to have some tips to help us identify the people or to help us identify a vehicle," Kelley said. "Maybe someone has bragged about it to friends. That can help us find out who's doing this."
The police department has gotten a few tips, but so far the information hasn't been helpful.
Kelley said the department takes the incidents seriously and will continue to investigate until the person or people responsible are caught.
"We find no humor in this and neither do the victims," Kelley said.
Anyone with information can contact the Police Department at 329-2400.
"It's frustrating," Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley said. "It's frustrating for us and frustrating for the victims."
Since May, Kelley said, 122 vandalism incidents have been reported. Although Kelley didn't have specific numbers to compare this year with other years, he said the cases seem substantially higher than average.
Many recent incidents have involved lawn ornaments and gazing balls, Kelley said.
"They take things from lawns and then smash them against cars or buildings," Kelley said.
The people who take the lawn ornaments don't necessarily destroy them close to where they stole them, he added.
"It means that these people are moving around," he said.
It's hard to narrow down where the incidents occur because they have been reported throughout the city. There is also no way to know the age of the vandals, Kelley said.
"These are hard cases to work on. We'd love to have some tips to help us identify the people or to help us identify a vehicle," Kelley said. "Maybe someone has bragged about it to friends. That can help us find out who's doing this."
The police department has gotten a few tips, but so far the information hasn't been helpful.
Kelley said the department takes the incidents seriously and will continue to investigate until the person or people responsible are caught.
"We find no humor in this and neither do the victims," Kelley said.
Anyone with information can contact the Police Department at 329-2400.