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Signs Of Vandalism Increase In Community
Roundabout
Over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, the murals on the roundabout on Crawford Road in Crossroads were vandalized. Police Services officers say the problem seems to be on the increase in town, but they have a lead on a potential culprit. City crews had cleaned up the mess by Wednesday morning, Jan. 20. Ric McGinnis/The News

 

Although graffiti has again reared its ugly head in the City of Action, Riverbank Police Services officers are hopeful the assistance they are receiving from the community will help them apprehend those responsible for the latest rash of scribblings on local murals.

Over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, graffiti appeared on the murals in the roundabout on Crawford Road, in the Crossroads. But by Wednesday, Jan. 20 sheriff’s trustee workers and city crews had cleaned it all up and passersby probably didn’t even notice the change.

Sheriff’s Sergeant John McWheary, a watch commander in Riverbank, said the office is receiving information regarding the incidents that most likely will help lead to the culprit. Police will provide any updates as they are able regarding the case.

City Public Works Superintendent Michael Riddell said that his department tries to move quickly on cleaning up incidents of graffiti, partnering with sheriff’s work crews to mend the damage. He said that, when the language is offensive, his crew gets right out to take care of it.

The local artist who painted most of the murals in town revealed a secret she uses, a while back, during one of the paints. Alexandra Riddle, of Waterford created most of the pieces of art, from the large mural at the Plaza del Rio downtown, to the four panels on the Crawford Road roundabout, to the sides of the snack bar at Castleberg Park.

When asked about the potential of graffiti ruining her work, she said that, when the painting is complete, she puts a special coating on the surface. Anything spread over it can be simply cleaned off, without harming the art beneath it, Riddle said.