Vandalism at Valley rec areas, schools

June 1, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Vandals caused nearly $10,000 of damage to seven schools and recreation areas in the Valley during the final weeks of school.

&#8220This is the worst that they have ever, ever done. You should see the shocked response of the children,” said Linda Luster, Finger Lake Elementary School teacher, of the destruction behind the school's playground. &#8220I usually go home and bawl to my husband. You can see the tears in my eyes from talking about it now.”

Benches commemorating Finger Lake Elementary students who died were torn down along with an 800-pound trailhead sign at the 11-acre N.E. Segelhurst Aquatic Educational Trail at Finger Lake Elementary and a safety railing on the dock at the trail's end on Finger Lake. Damages total more than $2,000.

The incident was reported to Alaska State Troopers on May 25.

The trail was constructed by students, teachers and their families in 1992. In its 15-year history, more than $13,000 in borough grants and private donations by the Segelhurst family have gone into building the trail. In that same time frame, the trail has been vandalized more than seven times. Luster said she couldn't remember suspects ever being charged.

&#8220The kids really do a lot of work on the trail, too,” she added.

Alaska State Trooper Scott Ide responded to Luster's call and is investigating. He said there are no leads to follow or suspects to question. He noted that the evidence appears to indicate that the vandals were in their teens or mid-20s, used motorized vehicles and appear to be residents of the area.

&#8220It's pretty disappointing to have this type of activity go on. It happens more frequently in the Valley now,” Ide said. &#8220It's destruction of property for no good reason. All they're doing, really, is they're hurting the kids in the school.”

He noted that the incident appears to be isolated from other vandalism in the Valley during the final weeks of school.

Lt. Thomas Remaley, spokesman for the Palmer Police Department, confirmed that the $800 of damage caused by vandalism to the Mat-Su School District's administration building main doors and the $5,000 of damage to the softball and baseball fields near the building discovered on May 24 appear to be related.

Four sets of bleachers, a goal post and the soccer field entrance sign were torn down and tipped over. More than 14 garbage cans were damaged or destroyed.

That same night, the doors to nearby Swanson Elementary School were damaged. Repairs are estimated at $800. On May 21, Palmer Middle School was covered in graffiti. It will cost $50 to remove.

Remaley would not comment on suspects in the ongoing investigation, but noted that incidents do not appear to be connected to school vandalism outside of Palmer.

Remaley said the Palmer vandalism prevention plan now is for extra patrols. He said the ball fields almost require constant supervision during the busy summer season.

&#8220Normally, at night, there's always people around the school, and sometimes we're not there at the right time,” he said.

Theft and vandalism also plagued Wasilla High School during its closing weeks. On May 21, a report to the Wasilla Police Department showed that an undisclosed amount of petty cash was stolen.

Three days earlier reports showed the school's portable building windows were shattered and broken by rocks. Damage is estimate at $600.

School Resource Officer David Eller, of the Wasilla Police Department, said the department tries to patrol the school multiple times each night. Like the extra patrols in Palmer, he said it's all about being in the right place at the right time.

&#8220Those broken windows, especially on the portables, were done overnight,” he added, &#8220and anything at Wasilla High that was done, I'd be surprised if that was related to Palmer.”

Alaska State Trooper Ide said citizens can get involved in reporting vandalism for prevention.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 745-3333.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2250 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.