Point Reyes Light - October 16, 2003
Vandalism slows but ... cops need witnesses
By Andrew Pridgen
While no citations have been issued or arrests made, the year-long spate of vandalism in Point Reyes Station and Inverness Park has begun to taper off.
After some homes, mostly on Mesa Road in Point Reyes Station, were targeted more than a dozen times, Sheriff’s Lt. Ritch Ginnodo last month held a town meeting to discuss the problem.
On Tuesday he told The Light that acts of youth vandalism that have plagued Point Reyes and Inverness Park have "virtually disappeared" since Labor Day.
"Not true," said Mesa Road resident Bruce Lauritzen, who this week reported a sign in front of his home was vandalized "at least a half-dozen times" before it was finally stolen.
Other acts of vandalism have been occurring in the neighborhood for the last year-and-a-half, the artist said, with the most recent occurring last week.
"I suppose one could look at it as overreacting," Lauritzen told The Light Wednesday. "There’s a time for due diligence. Maybe the [Sheriff’s Department] is spread too thin, but they need to get on top of this strongly and catch [the vandals] in the act."
Lt. Ginnodo noted the investigation on local youth crimes continues in the form of him contacting youths that other people have identified as vandals. Each parent of the contacted youth has also spoken with the Sheriff’s Office.
"The investigation hasn’t slowed down," Ginnodo said. "There are people out there that have been victims. They do want to come forward, but it is a small community, and they do not want to be ostracized. People want the problem to be dealt with, but they do not want to be a formal witness."
"Right now," Lt. Ginnodo told The Light Wednesday "the goal is to locate the youths and address circumstances that would have made them get involved in criminal behavior.
"We have a society that is proud that people are innocent until proven guilty. We believe in that until we are the victims.
"Many of victims just want the kids to come forward and admit what they’ve done so they can get back on track to becoming up-and-coming, responsible members of the community.
"Others want to press charges. Before I do that I need evidence and witnesses to come forward."