Graffiti damage reported
at 19 businesses

By Misti Strader
Tribune-Courier News Editor
mstrader@tribunecourier.com

BENTON – Vandals set out to destroy street signs, vehicles and building walls with graffiti last Saturday night in downtown Benton.

The damage extended from Olive and 13th St. to 11th Poplar, where not even the license plates of vehicles were spared of the purple and silver artwork.

Over 19 incidences of graffiti were discovered in the early morning hours by Sgt. Tracy Watwood as he and his family made their way to church Sunday morning.

Buildings belonging to the First Missionary Babtist Church, Peel and Holland, H&R Block, MTG, Sunny Pages, Bell South, Law Offices of Don Thomas, the Tribune-Courier and many others were vandalized with the purple and silver paintings of dollar signs and the word “Balla.”

Investigating officer Jeromy Hicks said that due to the destructive nature of these crimes, charges of first degree Criminal Mischief will likely apply, which is a class ‘D’ felony.

In addition to those charges, businesses will also have the option of suing for restitution against the perpetrator(s).

“While Killz and a coat of paint can fix a lot of the damage, some of the others cannot be fixed as easily,” Hicks said. “The most expensive damage done was to the Tribune-Courier’s vehicle. That will likely require a new paint job, and that could be very expensive.”

Hicks went on to say that this type of activity usually occurrs during the summer months when kids are out of school and bored.

“But that was obviously not the case this past weekend,” he said, “so we will be investigating every lead.”

If it is determined that juveniles are in fact behind the vandalism, their parents will be held liable for their children’s actions, Hicks said.

“It is a parent’s responsibility to know what their kids are up to until the time that they reach 18 years of age. If they get into trouble before that, the responsibility does fall to the parents.”
Accordng to Watwood, the department is currently investigating leads in the case and are asking that anyone who has information regarding the vandalism, contact the Benton Police Deparment at 527-3126 or CrimeStoppers at 527-COPS.

A reward may apply for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction of the suspect(s) in this case. All callers will remain anonymous.