Published: May 13, 2008 05:56 pm         

MEDINA: Vandalism takes its toll

Each year, the Medina Lions Club takes the time to plant flowers and lilacs at Lions Park. Over the weekend, Dr. Arthur Mruczek planted a few more lilac bushes by the big apple on the Erie Canal bank.

When he left the park at 4 p.m. Friday, everything was in order. Sunday morning, though, Mruczek went to the park and was ashamed to see someone had spray-painted profanities on the big apple and damaged the Lions Park sign.

“We were very taken back by the vandalism,” Mruczek said.

The Medina Police Department discovered the extensive amount of graffiti damage and also received complaints. Shortly after the discovery, the department began an investigation, canvassing the neighborhood and speaking with residents to determine possible suspects.

On Monday, Medina police charged two 13-year-old boys in connection with the graffiti and vandalism at Lions Park, on the high bridge over the Erie Canal and also to the gazebo at the Erie Canal Basin park.

The first suspect was charged with a single count of fourth-degree criminal mischief, while the other juvenile was charged with two counts of the same charge. Both suspects were issued appearance tickets to report to Orleans County Probation.

According to Police Chief Jose Avila, officers believe the profanities at Lions Park were spray-painted sometime Saturday night after 10:30 p.m.

One of the juveniles was brought to the police station with his parents, where the suspect allegedly confessed to taking part in some of the vandalism. He then implicated another juvenile, according to reports, and the second suspect was also brought to the station with his parents. He also allegedly and confessed to causing damage.

Avila said the second juvenile also confessed to damaging the gazebo in the Erie Canal Basin park and was therefore charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

“We believe there was at least one other gentleman involved,” Avila said, adding that the department is currently pursuing leads to identify and charge a third individual. An arrest is expected to be made today.

Avila said that he would be willing to volunteer his time to supervise the suspects, if the court felt it appropriate to have them remove the graffiti, and hopes that restitution will be paid in some form.

“I know how hard the Lions have worked to maintain the park,” he said.

Mruczek said the lawn at Lions Park is cut by the Village of Medina, while Lions Club members maintain the trees, flowers and picnic areas. The most recent endeavor of planting lilac trees at the park was because the hill was too steep to put tables on.

“We chose lilacs because of the success of Highland Park (in Rochester),” he said. Lions members met with the curator from Highland Park to learn about the planting process.

Mruczek said this year the trees have blossomed beautifully and are extremely fragrant.

“It just seems very frustrating to put all that work into beautifying the area and have someone destroy it,” he said.

Contact reporter Miranda Vagg at 798-1400, ext. 2225.