TOMBSTONE, Ariz. (KVOA) — Three juveniles have been questioned by law enforcement after some offensive graffiti and vandalism was found in Tombstone.
It has the community concerned, and at the same time it’s putting a damper on tourism.
“Very disgusting,” said Jennifer Briggs, a Tombstone resident.
“It’s not OK,” said Gilbert Romero, another Tombstone resident.
People living in Tombstone are reacting to hateful graffiti found at the abandoned high school. Some of the graffiti is too graphic to show, including a swastika and the N-word.
“So, these are bathrooms that the city is leasing in addition to the ball field from a gentleman who purchased the property,” said Marshal Jim Adams from the Tombstone Marshal’s Office.
Most of the major damage was in the bathrooms that are attached to the old high school. The city is in charge of maintaining the restrooms.
When the vandalism happened in early January, the toilets were clogged, graffiti was splattered on the mirrors, and the dispensers were busted.
Now, nearly $6,000 of the city’s money is flushing down the toilet in order to repair the bathrooms.
The Tombstone mayor told News 4 Tucson that the money would have gone toward tourism marketing, a topic that impacts all residents such as Gilbert Romero.
“I do work at the Saloon. We work hard to keep this town going, and that behavior hurts us really bad,” Romero said.
Jennifer Briggs has lived in Tombstone for four years. She agrees with Romero.
“It’s sad because Tombstone actually does live upon tourism; that’s how folks here make their money. If we don’t have something clean to show people, then people aren’t going to want to come see it,” Briggs said.
Right now, the Marshal’s Office has found three suspects under the age of 18 responsible for some of the vandalism, but they are still looking for the others who damaged the bathrooms.
Marshal Adams told News 4 Tucson they are trying to prevent a repeat of the vandalism.
“The reinforcement is just simple. It’s just barricading up some windows and doors, chains, padlocks, supply wood,” Adams explained.
While the Marshal’s Office continues to search for the culprits who they believe are juveniles, residents have their theories on why the suspects would do this.
“Given the access of the internet, they’ve probably seen some disgusting stuff,” Romero said.
“Lack of actual punishment,” Briggs said.
If anyone has information as to who could have done the damages, call the Tombstone Marshal’s Office at 520-457-2244.