The city of Warrenton has zero tolerance for ongoing vandalism on public properties, and the cost to taxpayers is adding up for the repairs.Officials are cracking down on the juveniles they say are responsible.Warrenton’s city parks have become a frequent target of property damage by local children, said Grounds and Maintenance Director Brad Busekrus. It’s to the point where he said staff is cleaning or repairing damage multiple times a week.“It’s kind of sad. We try to provide them with all this stuff, and they turn around and tear it up as fast as we get it in,” said Busekrus, who spoke during a city board of aldermen meeting June 19.Busekrus said the vandals have been young children, not older teens, and that there have been a number of recent examples. Feces smeared on the walls, bathroom dispensers torn up, facilities flooded.“If people would see half the stuff we clean up, they would be shocked,” he said.Busekrus is frustrated with all the trouble being caused by groups of children. He put much of the blame on parents who aren’t taking responsibility for their children.“The parents just don’t care,” he said. “That’s what we’re dealing with now.”Many of the incidents might have been minor on their own, but Busekrus said the cost of constantly repairing all the damage is becoming an issue.“When you have to start replacing the $40 soap dispensers and this, that and the other. Kicking the (park) garage doors in, at $400 a pop for two panels. It all starts adding up,” Busekrus said.Now Busekrus has no more tolerance for the bad behavior. He has directed staff to contact police at the first sign of any trouble. The grounds department is working with city police to bring court cases against juveniles responsible for property damage.Police Chief Larry Ellard said at least six such cases were recently sent to the Warren County Juvenile Office.He explained that juveniles involved in the property damage are banned from city parks for a year, and their parents are notified that they can be fined for their children’s misbehavior.The fines increase for each subsequent offense, and the city can also seek a court-ordered repayment of up to $2,000 for any damage caused, Ellard said.Warrenton Mayor Eric Schleuter called on all residents to report issues they see in the parks.“Don’t turn your head and walk away. Don’t think ‘I don’t want to get involved,’ ” Schleuter said. “You can remain anonymous. As long as you report it, we can at least address it, maybe get on top of these issues. We need your help, as a city.”Bruce McKinnon, chief juvenile officer for the region, said when a case is referred to his office, they try to resolve it with families without having to go to court.Depending on a juvenile’s age, they can be required to pay back any damages or do community service, he said. Input from the victim also factors into that decision.Although parents are ultimately responsible for repaying damages, McKinnon said he prefers the children to do it themselves.“We try to make the kids pay, or encourage the parents to not pay on behalf of their kids, because otherwise they learn nothing,” he said.If a voluntary resolution can’t be reached with a family, McKinnon said the juvenile office can seek a court order with requirements such as probation or financial restitution.

A Warrenton park restroom is littered with paper towels after a recent vandalism. Officials say the costs of frequently replacing vandalized materials and equipment is starting to add up.

City of Warrenton photo