Published: January 06, 2006 03:57 pm      

Vandals strike New Albany riverfront

The New Albany Riverfront is used regularly by runners, walkers or those who just enjoy looking at the Ohio River.

Recently, it has also been used by vandals.

Wednesday morning while making his daily rounds, New Albany Flood Control Director Ron Grangier got a look at the damage spray paint and four-wheel-drive trucks can cause. The vandals spray painted concrete beams, steps and art work which had been a staple on the riverfront.

“We’ve been having a lot of problems down there,” he said. “We had some really nice pictures on some of the columns and they painted over them. There was a painting of Jesus that had been down there for a long time, and they spray painted that.”

Besides the paint, grass on parts of the floodwall has been damaged by trucks. Grangier said a flat area near the K & I Bridge is “nothing but a mud hole.”

“It’s just really hard to catch them at night,” he said. “The police have been patrolling the area, but they can’t stay parked down there.”

New Albany Police Chief Merle Harl said he has asked his officers to pick up patrols on the riverfront.

“They are tough to catch because they are there and gone,” he said. “It’s not an area of high patrol. We watch our neighborhoods more than the riverfront.”

Grangier also patrols the area as much as possible. He said his last check is usually around 10:30 p.m.

Harl said those responsible for the vandalism would be arrested and charged with destruction of city property.

Riverfront Director Bob Trinkle said vandals have not been a constant problem on the riverfront. He said it is sporadic.

“It’s a shame,” Trinkle said. “Every now and then it will happen. Some of the art work has been defaced, but none of the military art was touched. That was comforting.”

Both Trinkle and Grangier said if someone is caught four-wheeling on the floodwall, or spray painting the stage or concrete pillars, they will be held financially responsible.

New Albany Mayor James Garner agrees.

“They are breaking the law, and they will be punished,” Garner said.

Trinkle has joined Grangier and patrols the area during the day. He said some of the parents of children who perform in riverfront shows have also volunteered to keep an eye out for the amphitheater area.

Trinkle said he hopes those who use the riverfront area will also keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior. He said they should call the police immediately if they see something suspicious.