MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Vandalism is back for the summer, with warm weather and easy access to areas, you may be seeing more graffiti around Marquette.
“It isn’t a rampant thing, it doesn’t happen all the time,” says James Finkbeiner, Marquette Road Patrol Captain. “But unfortunately, it does occur in the city.”
When vandalism is found and/or reported Police work with the Marquette Beautification Committee to get the graffiti cleaned up as quickly as possible; so the public can enjoy Marquette’s local areas.
Receiving tips and help from the community are a big part of getting vandalism cleared away.
“The community has been really good about letting us know when they’ve seen something,” says Captain Finkbeiner. “And also helpful, when we do get some tips, following up on it, helping us try to identify the people who are vandalizing things.”
Places that have been hit by graffiti and tagging include some buildings downtown, the old coastguard station, the skate park, Lake View Arena, beach areas, bridges, playgrounds and most recently Black Rocks at Presque Isle.
The Marquette Police Department investigates all vandalism that occurs and keeps record of all previous vandalism. By keeping records, the police department is able to look for repeating styles and symbols that could help them catch and prevent graffiti.
“We’ll keep investigating and try to put those pieces together as best we can to find a suspect,” says Captain Finkbeiner.
The police want people to know that vandalism is a crime, if caught you may be fined, given community service or further prosecuted.
