Tyler Parks Plagued by Vandalism

TYLER — Vandals are leaving their calling card across Tyler — and graffiti marring new bathrooms, parks, and trails is causing the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department to spend unnecessary cash. According to KETK, that’s money they say they don’t need to spend at a time when the city is dealing with a tight budget. The latest rash of vandalism happened at the Rose Garden, where 30 nozzles were stolen from the fountain at a cost of more than $5,000. Parks and Recreation Director Stephanie Rollings says money they’re using to clean up the mess could have been used elsewhere. According to Rollings, “The vandals doing this I don’t think really know the massive effect they’re having on the city’s budget as well as the citizens of Tyler.” Rollings says every citizen who uses those parks is affected. So far, all the graffiti has been cleaned up, and stolen items have been replaced.