The four remaining covered bridges in Rush County have long been the target of target of vandals.

It’s become something of a local tradition for area teenagers and young adults to carve their initials onto one of the bridges, or to paint a nickname or short message.

Vandals have recently targeted area bridges armed with cans of spray paint, and they apparently feel the need to spray obscenities, other derogatory remarks and gang related signage on the interior walls and approaches to the bridges.

Graffiti has now spread to other areas of Rushville and Rush County as well and has elevated local and county law enforcement personnel’s concerns.

In recent days and weeks the unwanted markings have appeared on the back of downtown stores and buildings.

Anyone who sees an act of vandalism taking place should contact the RPD or Rush County Sheriff’s Department. Unfortunately, acts of vandalism are not limited to covered bridges in the county any more. Local parks have not been spared from vandalism in recent months. Vandals have set fires in the rest rooms in the parks, destroying towel dispensers and waste baskets on more than one occasion.

Recently vandals stared a fire in the restrooms Community Park on Fort Wayne Road.

Concerns that the individuals may cause further damage to the rest rooms, or injury to themselves, forced City Parks Director Danny Mathews to make the decision to close the rest rooms in recent years. They have since been reopened. The gazebo in South Veterans Memorial Park has also been targeted by vandals.

The RPD urges anyone who observes suspicious acts or unusual people in their neighborhood, or new graffiti, to give local law enforcement a call at 932-3907. County residents may call the RCSD at 932-2931.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.