Vandals strike at Dexter's new aquatic center

DailyStatesman

DEXTER, Mo. -- Area vandals who had nothing better to do than destroy public property may soon have nothing better to do than sit in a jail cell.

Dexter Parks and Recreation administrator Lawson Metcalf said a person or persons recently illegally entered the new Dexter Aquatic Center at Dexter East Park and did some damage.

Aside from causing about $150 in damages to the property, Metcalf said the those responsible for the vandalism are also guilty of trespassing.

"The pool is officially closed whenever there aren't any staff," Metcalf said. "And the reason for that, of course, is safety reasons."

According to Metcalf, the vandals entered the aquatic center and severed a heavy blue and white rope used to tie off boundaries outside the pool.

The rope was later tied to the leg of a bench along the pool.

"They took one bench and threw it in the deep end of the pool," Metcalf said.

"They also took a clock from one of the outside walls and smashed it into pieces."

Metcalf said the person or persons responsible for the incident also took a pool rules sign and apparently used it as a sled at the deep end of the pool.

"Right now we've assessed the damage cost at about $150," Metcalf said.

"But we'll have to wait until May when we start filling the pool with water to see if there is any further damage to the pool floor or not."

Metcalf said he was very disturbed by the thoughtless acts of vandalism and destruction at the pool.

"This was such a big project for everyone in the city," Metcalf said. "And this is just waste of taxpayer money and trust."

He said the recent vandalism is the second incident within a few weeks. Metcalf said a couple of the large metal letters which spell "Dexter Aquatic Center" were pried from where they were fastened.

But, Metcalf said the letters were later found.

Metcalf also indicated whoever is responsible for the vandalism may soon be caught by authorities.

"We were told that there is a lead on a vehicle description from when the letters were removed," Metcalf said. "Once we find the people responsible for all of this we intend to prosecute to the fullest with fines, penalties and even jail time if possible."

Metcalf is optimistic that those responsible for the damaging incident will soon be caught and such behavior will be deterred in the future. "Paul Haubold (Dexter Police Chief) told me he would see about increasing the patrols in this area," Metcalf said. "It's just a shame that it takes a few people to mess things up for everyone."