SPD attacking park graffiti

Sidney Police Department is taking action against graffiti appearing in Legion Park.

A reward in an unspecified amount is being offered for information about those responsible for the tagging at the walking trail tunnel at Fort Sidney Road and other locations.

"We're offering a reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the graffiti in the park," SPD Chief Joe Aikens said.

Images of the graffiti were posted on the SPD's Facebook page on June 28.

"The graffiti was brought to my attention during the last council meeting (June 27) and we're looking into it," Aikens said Friday. "The city's intentions are to eventually remove the graffiti."

The graffiti has appeared in several areas of Legion Park, Aikens said, including the tunnel and the park's flood area drop structure.

"I don't know when it appeared in the park, because the parks people take care of the park," Aikens said. "They hadn't called us about the graffiti."

Aikens reminds the community that graffiti is a crime.

"It's tagging. It's disrespectful to other people's property," he said. "If you have your own house and you want to tag stuff and put graffiti on your own house, knock yourself out. This property belongs to somebody else. It's disrespectful and it's against the law."

The act falls under "criminal mischief," Aikens said.

"Depending on the value," he said, "they could be fined, put on probation, put in jail, be required to do community service."

To provide information about the graffiti, contact the communications center at 254-5515.