"Stop Or I'll Shoot!"

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, June 24, 2010 - Off-Duty Ironwood Public Safety Department (IPSD) Officer Matt Sterbenz, with paint gun in hand, continues the City's "Fight Against Blight" today. The volunteers' goal is to remove or cover up graffiti that has been popping up on area buildings lately.

Yesterday, Sterbenz was joined by his wife, Katie; IPSD Director Bob Erspamer; Detective Rod Passuello; Officer Andy Leiphart; Officer Andrew DiGiorgio; and Officer Brandon Snyder. Today he was joined by Officer DiGiorgio (seen in the background of the last photo below rolling over crime) and volunteer Matthew Leasure (on the right in the second photo below).

Leasure is a deaf man who recently relocated his wife and family back to Ironwood, after living in Madison, Wisconsin. He volunteers for Deaf Services of America in his free time. Shortly after moving back to the area, Leasure helped to re-organize the Range Area Deaf Club. Leasure told the Chronicle that senseless damage to people's property makes him upset. "We are very lucky to have such a dedicated public safety department here. It was fun helping out today, and I plan on helping whenever I can." 

Volunteers will continue their clean-up efforts as weather and time permit. Paint, cleaning supplies and agents, and use of equipment have been donated by area merchants. According to Director Erspamer, the IPSD has gathered information that very well could lead to putting a stop to the vandalism. As the investigation is ongoing, he couldn't make further comment.

Vandals, equipped with spay paint,  have caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to property throughout the city. Officers indicated that they will be held accountable for their actions upon arrest -- including restitution. Graffiti has been plaguing communities throughout the country recently. IPSD Officers have the "not in our town" attitude, however.

People interested in assisting in, or donating to the "Beat-ee da Graffiti" initiative are urged to contact the Ironwood Public Safety Department at (906) 932-1234.