Brownsville officials battle Wharf vandalism
BROWNSVILLE – A box filled with broken lights sits on the top shelf in the closet in the mayor’s office, evidence of vandalism at the Brownsville Wharf that was discovered by borough workers Friday morning. Three of the eight lights along the wharf were damaged, with the lights knocked from the lampposts.
“We’re not going to let this stop us. We’re going to keep going on,” said Mayor Norma Ryan. “This was intentional vandalism. We’re going to have more patrols in the area and tougher penalties.”
A teen was caught this summer after flowers planted at the wharf were vandalized. He and his parents initially agreed to replace the damaged flowers as restitution and community service, but the agreement was never carried out. Ryan said that case is pending at the district justice’s office.
Divers found three sections of iron grating just off the side of the wharf, though it was never determined whether vandals removed the grates set around ornamental trees on the wharf or if they were swept up by floodwaters that had previously struck the wharf.
“We’re asking any citizen who knows anything to contact us. The citizens of the community have to be our eyes and ears because the (police) force is so limited,” Ryan said.
While Brownsville does have a full-time police force, there is usually only one officer scheduled on each shift. Ryan is asking for members of the community to help the police force whenever possible by providing offers with any information they may have about vandalism or other crimes.
Anyone with information about the most recent vandalism may contact Ryan at 724-785-3363 or leave a message for the police at 724-785-7334. Anyone witnessing an act of vandalism should contact 9-1-1 immediately, Ryan said.