A piece of local history was shattered when vandals broke a section of the glass sign and archway that stands at the entrance of Thayer Park in the village of Skaneateles earlier this month, according to the Skaneateles Village Police Department.
Police Chief Lloyd Perkins said he believed the damage was part of a vandalism spree targeting street signs and manhole covers in both the village and town of Skaneateles.
Police estimate the vandalism has gone on for several weeks, but authorities have found it difficult to establish a time frame because it can take a week for someone to notice a missing street sign, Perkins said.
“We are doing our standard police procedures,” Perkins said. “We are talking to people and asking for help. Right now we have no leads.”
Bob Lotkowictz, director of the village's Municipal Operations, said the damage will cost taxpayers between $1,000 to $2,000 to replace 13 missing streets signs unless the police catch the vandals and recover the signs.
Leitch Avenue, East Lake Street, Elizabeth Street and Onondaga Street were some of the neighborhoods that reported stolen signs.
Estimates to repair the Thayer Park sign, which authorities said was damaged on July 19, are still pending as village officials consider how they will fix it.
Someone made a suggestion to use a special polycarbonate plastic that will look like the original glass sign, but will be more durable, Lotkowictz said. The sign has two glass panels on each side that show the name Thayer Park in black letters, on top of two black columns.
“It will withstand more abuse than glass,” Lotkowictz said. “But no decision has been made yet. We've got to do something very soon though. It is a historic sign.”
Village Historian Pat Blackler said the Skaneateles Historical Society was preparing to renovate the glass portion of the sign when the vandalism happened. Plans called for repairing the sign's faded letters, which are inside the glass.
“We were in the process of sprucing it up,” Blackler said. “Vandalism is always a shock here. It looks like someone just threw something at it.”
Perkins said he believed all the vandalism and removal of several manhole covers may be connected, but he did not believe four juveniles arrested on July 23 for spray painting graffiti on private property were involved.
Perkins said he does believe juveniles are involved, and added that anyone caught with one of the missing signs could be charged with possession of stolen property.
“Historically, it's younger people who do this type of vandalism,” he said.
“We have officers on the street 24 hours a day, so if people see something happening to a sign I encourage them to call us immediately so we can respond.”
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism or who witnesses a crime is encouraged to call the police department at 685-3456 or 685-3819.
Staff writer Nathan Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or by e-mail at nathan.robson@lee.net
Police estimate the vandalism has gone on for several weeks, but authorities have found it difficult to establish a time frame because it can take a week for someone to notice a missing street sign, Perkins said.
“We are doing our standard police procedures,” Perkins said. “We are talking to people and asking for help. Right now we have no leads.”
Bob Lotkowictz, director of the village's Municipal Operations, said the damage will cost taxpayers between $1,000 to $2,000 to replace 13 missing streets signs unless the police catch the vandals and recover the signs.
Leitch Avenue, East Lake Street, Elizabeth Street and Onondaga Street were some of the neighborhoods that reported stolen signs.
Estimates to repair the Thayer Park sign, which authorities said was damaged on July 19, are still pending as village officials consider how they will fix it.
Someone made a suggestion to use a special polycarbonate plastic that will look like the original glass sign, but will be more durable, Lotkowictz said. The sign has two glass panels on each side that show the name Thayer Park in black letters, on top of two black columns.
“It will withstand more abuse than glass,” Lotkowictz said. “But no decision has been made yet. We've got to do something very soon though. It is a historic sign.”
Village Historian Pat Blackler said the Skaneateles Historical Society was preparing to renovate the glass portion of the sign when the vandalism happened. Plans called for repairing the sign's faded letters, which are inside the glass.
“We were in the process of sprucing it up,” Blackler said. “Vandalism is always a shock here. It looks like someone just threw something at it.”
Perkins said he believed all the vandalism and removal of several manhole covers may be connected, but he did not believe four juveniles arrested on July 23 for spray painting graffiti on private property were involved.
Perkins said he does believe juveniles are involved, and added that anyone caught with one of the missing signs could be charged with possession of stolen property.
“Historically, it's younger people who do this type of vandalism,” he said.
“We have officers on the street 24 hours a day, so if people see something happening to a sign I encourage them to call us immediately so we can respond.”
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism or who witnesses a crime is encouraged to call the police department at 685-3456 or 685-3819.
Staff writer Nathan Robson can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or by e-mail at nathan.robson@lee.net
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