Gates Canyon Park Vandalized

Facilities at were vandalized with graffiti on Friday, according to a police report.

The vandalism incident occurred sometime between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., deputies said.

A maintenance worker who arrived at the park Saturday morning said images of frogs were stenciled on the basketball court, park benches, trash cans, children’s play area and park entry way, said Community Services Director Jeff Rubin.

The vandal used black, red and white colored spray paint, deputies said in a police report. Deputies were unable to find any witnesses.

Maintenance workers used a special solution to remove the graffiti shortly after it was reported, Rubin said.

He added that it's important to remove vandalism quickly to deter repeat offenders.

"A lot of people, when they see vandalism and it's not taken care of, it opens the door to people for more vandalism," Rubin said. "We try to be proactive and handle these types of incidents expiditiously."

Gates Canyon Park was vandalized with graffiti once before about three or four years ago, Rubin said. An student was arrested for allegedly spray painting a symbol in different areas of the park.