The City of Greenville is offering a $5,000 reward for tips that lead to an arrest for vandalism at Gower Park.
Graffiti was discovered when Parks and Recreation crews arrived on a Thursday morning in late March.
Graffiti was found on the tennis court rebounder wall, sidewalks between the tennis and basketball courts, backboards of basketball hoops, a playground slide and the Army tank. One of the bathrooms at Gower Park was previously damaged when vandals tore a paper towel dispenser off the wall and threw it in a toilet
The damage is extensive, and it will take crews from Public Works and Parks and Recreation to clean it up.
“This is not mischief. This is criminal,” said Interim Greenville Police Chief J.H. Thompson. “Our employees are working tirelessly to keep our city running during a national health crisis. The folks who are trying to keep our green spaces safe and open to the public should not be faced with this level of disrespect or have their time wasted by foolishness.”
Police have stepped up patrols in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 23-Crime (232-7463) The non-emergency dispatch number is 864-271-5333. Citizens are encouraged to use that number when possible instead of dialing 911.