A recent string of vandalisms has occurred across Brookings in the last month.
The first instance was in a two-to- three-week span in October, involving the destruction of planted trees on eighth street, with saplings snapped off by their trunks.
The second act involved black spray paint on vehicles, buildings and homes, which caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Brookings Police Chief Michael Drake says these acts are isolated incidents and such cases don’t happen often.
Drake joined the department in August of 2022 and says in the last two-and-a-half years most of the activity, good and bad, tends to occur in October and November, and April and May in the spring. Drake said incidents involving intentional damage of property or graffiti occur during the summer and are usually committed by juveniles.
The Police Department also sees an uptick in vandalism in the downtown area when college students return to school in the fall.
Different types of vandalism in downtown Brookings usually include accidental damage, property damage, flags torn down and flowerpots and signs knocked over, whether it be through negligence or recklessness due to intoxication, Drake said.
Michael Kilber, the deputy chief of police at the University Police Department, said cases of vandalism on campus vary from year to year.
“Our records show 10 cases from this current school year, divided mostly between parked vehicles and university property,” Kilber said.
“We saw an uptick in property damage cases inside residential facilities last school year, but this year vandals seem to be targeting young trees.”
Kilber said overall cases are down historically and UPD has seen less than they did a decade or more ago.
The intentional destruction of trees has been costly for the city of Brookings. Kristin Zimmerman, the director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry, oversees many aspects including the city parks and public trees.
Zimmerman says the recent acts of vandalism were an anomaly.
“Typically, we see a few trees damaged every year… there were 15 trees impacted through human causes in the eighth street corridor that have since been replanted,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman says it cost the city close to $2,500 to replace the 15 trees, but luckily her department doesn’t see vandalism frequently.
“I would appreciate it if everyone
took care of our public spaces. They mean a lot to our community… trees not only add beauty but also energy efficiency and landscape within Brookings,” Zimmerman said.
Based on the investigation conducted by the Brookings Police Department, Drake said he thinks the incidents were attributed to the foot traffic of younger adults walking back to their apartments near or on campus in the hours of 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Drake said it is still an open investigation and hopes anyone with information comes forward to identify the suspect(s). Crimes like vandalism tend to spring up as crimes of opportunity, sometimes out of emotion or irrational behavior, Drake said.
In the instance of the black spray paint, the department was able to identify the suspect and piece their investigation together quickly because of community reports and surveillance.
The spray-painting vandalized garage doors, buildings and cars, with initials and symbols that were not related to gangs or violence, but a personal tag from the vandal.
The suspect has since been identified and charged with the crimes.
Drake said he hopes people remain respectful of property.
“Sometimes we think there are no victims to these crimes, but they are not your property, they’re either our property or other people’s property and it should be respected,” Drake said. “If we do have cases like this, we always ask for the public’s support in trying to bring people to justice, but to also put an end to it and have some closure to the people that have beenvictimized by the crime.”
If you see someone that commits an act of vandalism or any other crime, you can submit an anonymous tip online to brookingsareacrimestoppers.com or call (605) 692-STOP (7867).
