COLUMBUS -- Persistent vandalism to mailboxes at a local mobile home park is the type of crime Platte County Area Crime Stoppers hopes to address with increased rewards leading to arrests and convictions.
The organization recently raised the amount of money that can be awarded to callers providing information that leads to the conviction of vandals who have been busier and bolder as criminal mischief reports climbed with the temperatures this spring.
“We’re very aware of the rise in vandalism reports,’’ said Pat Ernst, president of the board of the community crime-fighting organization.
Local law enforcement authorities are supportive of the organization’s push to “enhance” the amount of money available for tips on vandalism incidents, she said.
Platte County Sheriff Jon Zavadil and Columbus Police Capt. Chuck Sherer attend Crime Stoppers’ monthly meetings.
Law enforcement officials develop the tips and, if the information results in an arrest, the Crime Stoppers board of directors will decide whether to issue a reward. Tipsters can receive up to a $1,000 reward.
Callers wanting to give information on crimes are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 563-4000, the police department at 564-3201 or the sheriff's department at 564-3229. All calls are kept confidential. Only calls made to the Crime Stoppers line are eligible for a reward.
Tips leading to arrests in the vandalism of mailboxes at Countryview Estates mobile home park will be a little late to change Columbus Post Office plans.
The post office will be shifting the site of the mobile home park’s mailboxes from a building on the east side of the park to a service road front U.S. Highway 30. The post office has been coping with a serious problem of the mailboxes being spray-painted and the building being trashed.
Postmaster Ron Reilly has announced the about 140 mailboxes will be moved at the end of the week. Residents of the mobile home park have received a letter informing them of the location change.
Law enforcement authorities have been receiving a surge in vandalism and criminal mischief reports coinciding with warming temperatures beginning in March.
The police department has investigated at least 30 reports of criminal mischief involving broken windows in vehicles, homes and businesses and thousands of dollars in damage during a three-week period in March. Some of the reports involved two and three vehicles.
Police officials said most of the reports appeared to have been random acts of criminal mischief committed along high-traffic areas, such as 11th Street, 14th Street and 18th Avenue.
The sheriff’s department has investigated the vandalism at Countryview along with criminal mischief reports in connection with break-ins at vacant rural homes. The department has also launched a probe in connection with the recent vandalizing of Sunrise Elementary School.
Three hooded suspects carrying spray-paint cans were caught by surveillance cameras vandalizing the outside walls of the school’s buildings. It was the first time the school had been tagged by vandals.
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