By Beacon Staff
When Lt. Dennis Jolly arrived at the Salvation Army organization’s thrift store on Friday morning (June 19), his heart sank — crude works of graffiti-covered the side of the thrift store.
He discovered more damage a few feet away — red, orange, and aqua blue spray-paint covered the left side of the Salvation Army’s delivery truck.
Jolly took pictures for insurance purposes, then posted his disappointment (and the photographs) on Facebook. His disgust was reciprocated by the community in the comments of the post.
“Why would someone do this to us?” Jolly said.
The spray-painted doodles stretch all the way up to the driver’s side door, ending in a rough circle of orange paint on the window.
Much of it is illegible, save for a couple of phrases such as “Red Gang."
Lt. Jolly said the vandalism occurred sometime overnight Thursday, causing up to $3,000 in damage. Burlington police are investigating the incident, and Jolly has already called the insurance company. Eventually, the crudely painted tags will be removed.
Jolly has no idea what spurred the vandalism.
The Salvation Army serves free noon meals every weekday. The thrift store raises money used to feed and clothe people with nowhere else to turn, and some of the goods inside the store are given away through vouchers to those who need them. New toys are given away as Christmas presents to less fortunate children through the Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program.
Anyone with information about the vandalism is encouraged to call the Burlington Police Department at (319) 753-8366.
Photo by William Smith