Cortez police request the public’s help to catch graffiti vandals in town.
Suspects are being sought for recent graffiti that has caused thousands of dollars in property damage to local businesses, homes and schools in Cortez, said interim Police Chief Andy Brock.
Security camera footage from Manaugh Elementary showing a man and a woman suspected in recent graffiti activity has been released to the public. The vandalism on the school’s east side occurred Dec. 24.
“It’s been a problem. They are hard to catch in the act,” Brock said. “We are asking people to contact us if they recognize these people, see suspicious activity or have information.”
At Manaugh Elementary, the suspects painted gold graffiti over a door, window and electrical box, causing $800 in damage, he said.
Residences off Seventh Street were hit Dec. 26. The alley side of businesses along Main Street was tagged in summer or fall and cleaned up by local volunteers. Brock said the graffiti messaging is indecipherable.
This summer, a youth suspected of damaging dozens of properties in Cortez with graffiti was apprehended and charged in juvenile court, Brock said.
“The individual caused a lot of damage and has to pay restitution as part of the punishment,” he said.
A resident tipped police off to the suspect, and when questioned by investigators, the juvenile admitted to the vandalism.
Cleaning up graffiti is costly.
A customer of Once Upon a Sandwich, Alan Schafer, joked that he would pay for restaurant owner Rick Hessom to take art classes after noticing graffiti scrawled along the alley behind the business.
“Instead, I agreed to buy the paint if they helped with the cleanup. We spent hours painting over the mess,” he said.
Often a pressure washer has to be rented to clean up graffiti. It’s more difficult to clean up in winter, because the temperature can be too cold to paint over the graffiti.
“We should all be encouraged to take some pride and get involved in volunteering to clean it up each time,” Schafer said. “Graffiti is bad for business and not good for tourists to see.”
To help with the investigation, call the Cortez Police Department at (970) 565-8441.