Vandalism becoming more expensive in Peachtree City

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

In Peachtree City, two recent acts of vandalism will cost taxpayers a significant amount of money, according to city officials.

The spotlights for the flags and VFW monument at City Hall Plaza were recently damaged, and the cost of replacing them is over $1,200, said city Public Information Specialist Betsy Tyler.

Also, a water fountain has been damaged at the Braelinn Ponds near Crosstown Road. Although attempts to repair it were made, it must also be replaced, at an estimated cost between $800 and $1,000, Tyler said.

That fountain had been donated by the Peachtree City Running Club, Tyler noted.

Due to the high cost of vandalism, the city plans to prosecute offenders to offset the cost of repairs, Tyler said. If the repair cost exceeds $1,000, offenders can be prosecuted as felons, she added.

The city is asking parents to remind their children of the possible consequences for acts of vandalism and that repairs are paid for by taxpayers.

Already, the city uses washable paint in some of its largest cart path tunnels so graffiti can be washed away, Tyler said. But sometimes the graffiti is actually painted on the path, which is more difficult to clean up, she added.

"It can crop up anywhere, even on people's fences, on dumpsters and other private property that we can't fix," Tyler said.

Local residents are quick to report graffiti and other problems to city hall or the public works department, Tyler noted. Especially if it's on the cart path system, which is the most-used element of the city, she said.

"They like it for the natural beauty, not the graffiti," Tyler said. "People are very observant about things."

Litter on the cart paths is another problem the city constantly has, Tyler noted. Fast-food packaging and drink cups are problems in certain areas due to accidents or carelessness, Tyler said.

And some fast food restaurants have begun cleaning up the paths in their area just for that reason, she added.

Also, city crews spend one whole day a week working on litter in the city, Tyler said.

The good news is that vandalism appears to be down in local parks since the city hired a parks monitor to inspect those areas, Tyler said.

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