For the third time in six weeks, business and homeowners woke up Tuesday, April 1, to find out their buildings and/or homes had been vandalized with spray paint. By late Tuesday night, early Wednesday morning, Cedar Springs Police had arrested a 19-year-old and two juveniles for the crimes.

The United States Post Office on Cherry Street, Alpha Family Center on First Street (kitty-cornered from the Post Office), Car Quest, Len Allington’s building (which houses Perry’s Place) at 90 N. Main, and the vacant building at 95 N. Main, as well as some houses on 8^th Street, were all victims of defacement with graffiti. Swear words and numbers were the most common marks.

According to Police Chief Roger Parent, officers did some good police work, and narrowed down their list of suspects to include this 19-year-old Cedar Springs resident, who is homeless. When they saw him and three others walking late Tuesday night, and carrying backpacks, they stopped them and questioned them. The suspects ultimately confessed to several of the crimes.

The 19-year-old, who has not yet been arraigned, is lodged in the Kent County Jail, and could be arraigned Thursday on a charge Malicious Destruction of Property over $1,000, a felony. His name and actual charges will be released once he has been arraigned.

Chief Parent said that while defacing The Post Office is a federal offence, they would probably want it taken care of under a local ordinance.

Parent noted that the case is still under investigation.

By Judy Reed

A white water tower. A bucket of paint. An abandoned ladder. The cover of darkness. And someone who loves The Post. It was the perfect storm for a hit and run graffiti event in Cedar Springs last night.

Police are looking this morning for the person(s) who painted the logo of The Cedar Springs Post newspaper on the city’s water tower on Pine Street.

“I didn’t hear a thing,” said one neighbor. “I saw a forklift there yesterday evening, but thought they were just going to do some maintenance.”

People gawked as they drove by, causing a couple of minor traffic crashes. That’s when police discovered the vandalism.

“It’s actually pretty good,” said one officer. “I’ve never seen graffiti that looked so professional. I think we are looking for an expert.”

The graffiti also gave the city council an idea. “I think we should rent out the tower once a month to any interested business that wants to put their logo on it,” said one councilor. “It might help offset some of our budget problems.”

The councilor didn’t specify how much they might charge, but said it would be in the $2,499 range. “And they would have to paint it themselves, or we wouldn’t make any money,” he noted.

The Post editor caught up with Post publisher Lois Allen at a local hardware store, while she was trying to return some paint. “It just isn’t the right red,” she said, wiping her hand on a paint smock she was wearing. But she thought it was great that someone painted the Post logo on the water tower.  “I hope they don’t get caught,” she added.

If you have any info on who might have painted the water tower, please 616-APRIL-FOOLS.