Vandalism Is Senseless

EDITORIAL - by Jim Albert - Saturday, December 26, 2009 - While covering the clean-up of the Pickard Place Apartment fire, this reporter noticed the extensive vandalism done to the garage; apartment annex building; and the apartment building. Vandals spray-painted graffiti on all three of the structures.

Of all the crimes, to me, vandalism is the most senseless -- and the people who commit vandalism are truly sick individuals. I can understand someone stealing food, money, clothing, or other things. I'm not condoning that behavior -- but I understand it. At least the criminal GAINS something. If he's hungry, he can eat. If he's cold, he can keep himself warm.

Who gains from vandalism? Many times the crime is waged against an innocent property owner? What demented kick does a person get out of destroying other people's property? If the vandal hated the property owner -- I guess, in some sick way, it's a way to exact revenge -- but why would anybody randomly destroy property just for the sake of destroying property?

As most people know, I've been in business in Downtown Ironwood for over thirty years. Over the years, in the various businesses I've run, I've had things stolen from me -- stereo systems; cash registers; furnishings; and even a gumball machine. In every case -- without exception -- the Ironwood Public Safety Department has recovered my stolen property and our court system has done a good job of prosecuting the perpetrators.

More often than not my property was returned damaged or destroyed. In most cases, I can understand why this is so. The guy that stole my cash register didn't want the cash register -- he wanted the cash he believed was inside of it. The gumball thief didn't necessarily have a sweet-tooth... he too wanted cash. But each and every time, IPSD Detective Rod Passuello was able to locate my property; discover who stole it; and see that justice prevailed and restitution was made.

Like I said, nobody likes to be a victim of any crime, but I can understand why someone would steal from me. They had something to gain. They needed cash. They stole things to fill that need.

I ask again, what does a vandal gain by destroying a stranger's property? What sick thrill makes him do that?  I guess it's a crime I'll never understand.