Parks continue to be vandalized

Pictured shows the pitted toilet after it was burned at the Versailles park on the square.

The trend of teenagers destroying property in towns is not unique to Osgood. The story of the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park being vandalized was in the news recently and now Versailles, Milan, and Batesville are seeing it too.

According to Versailles Town Marshal Joe Mann smoke bombs (the kind you use for the Fourth of July celebrations), were purchased at the local Family Dollar Store by juveniles. Then they were thrown inside the restrooms at the splashpads and inside Tyson Apartments recently.

Not only did the smoke bombs do extensive damage to both areas, but they also caused a concern for neighbors (those living in the apartments). There were burn holes in the carpet and up the wall at the apartments and burned toilets and a place in the concrete floor at the park on the square.

Marshal Mann noted that he is investigating the situation and has suspects located. He said he is pursing criminal mischief charges where the juveniles would have to pay restitution. There are consequences for these actions and parents should be aware they can also become part of those.

The Daren Baker Memorial Park in Milan has also seen some suspect activity recently with teens trying to destroy the cameras, damaging the walls, toilet roll holder, bathroom doors inside the restrooms and more.

Liberty Park’s “fairy house” was recently vandalized with figurines being knocked over etc. This part of the park will be removed for repairs. If you have any information about this call Batesville Police at 812-934-3131.

Parents are urged to know where their kids are, monitor their activity and talk to them about destroying someone else’s property. Police note that often times these types of behavior carry over into adult life with people becoming part of the revolving door system at the jails and courts.