SHAMOKIN, Pa. — What was once a small office area at the Shamokin Cemetery is now covered by graffiti.
The city has been hit with vandalism again. Shamokin Police Chief Ray Skio believes the building was tagged earlier this week.
"We do have some video surveillance that we're reviewing, we also were able to obtain several paint cans, which we're following up with that as well," said Cheif Ray Siko, Shamokin Police Department.
The police department now has an officer assigned to the investigation, but despite the search for the person or persons responsible, the vandals are still targeting new places in the city.
"There's also an area located a third and arch street in the city, and also a set of steps which connects two sections of the city from one area to another—all the steps have been spray painted," said Chief Siko.
Police say if they catch the perpetrators, they could face a growing list of charges.
"For every section that was hit is a separate location; that's an individual charge for each property that has been damaged," said Chief Siko.
Shamokin resident Veda Kopitsky says the vandalism in the cemetery and around the city is disappointing.
"It's a shame that the people don't take more pride in their community. I just—it's just very sad to hear this, but I did not know this was going on, now the pictures that they put on the buildings are beautiful, but to do that in a cemetery—this is just awful.">
Another resident who didn't want to appear on camera says graffiti has been a recurring problem in the city for some time now.
"The kids do it at night. They have nothing to do around here. We have all these empty properties and stuff, and there's nothing—not even a movie theater close by—you cannot—there's nothing for the kids to do," said Barbara Swank, Shamokin.
Anyone with information on the vandalism is asked to contact police in Shamokin.