Police: Future Site Of Community Mural In Shakopee Vandalized
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Shakopee police are looking for the vandals responsible for defacing a part of the town's revitalization program.
Holmes tunnel was primed and ready for a community mural when it was tagged with this graffiti:
Volunteers are covering up the hurt caused by unwanted markings on the wall.
"The goal is just to cover the ugly to make room for the beautiful," said Angie Whitcomb.
For years, this was a spot where graffiti was common.
"We looked at this spot downtown that a lot of people use along the trail, and we said, 'Hey this spot is getting hit over and over again. What can we do to improve it?'" Laura Pecaut.
Pecaut believes public art deters graffiti, so she helped launch the Holmes tunnel project in 2014.
Close to 400 volunteers logged over 2,000 hours to make it happen.
The original design was created by a group of Shakopee High School Advanced Placement art students.
An entire community was behind the cleanup of the area.
"It probably took these kids 15 minutes to ruin all of that," Whitcomb said.
"Yet, we are not deterred by this," Pecaut said. "There is so much more positive energy and positive comments behind this mural happening."
Painting over the eyesore is just the first step. Now comes Minnesota nice at its finest.
"We're going to post some signs that say, 'If you really want to paint these walls, come back and paint with us on Sept. 12,'" Pecaut said.
Pecaut wants those responsible to put their talents to good use and to know their actions will not stop a community determined to beautify an area for all to enjoy.
The Shakopee Police Department is paying for a graffiti-proof coating to protect the mural.
Additional patrols have been added to help stop the tagging until the community comes together for the big painting day on Sept. 12. Donations are still being accepted.
If you have any information on the person(s) responsible for the vandalism, contact the Shakopee Police at 952-233-9400 or visit the city's website.
