Police Investigate Vandalism Of Public Art At Leghorn's Park

PETALUMA, CA — Police in Petaluma are investigating the vandalism of a public art exhibit at Leghorn's Park.

Petaluma police Sgt. Patrick Gerke said the police department was notified at 9:38 a.m. Monday about the suspected vandalism at the public park which is at 690 Sonoma Mountain Parkway.

"When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that a large number of the signs, which had been attached to the fence of the tennis courts, had been removed," Gerke said.

"It is believed the signs were removed from the fence during the nighttime hours of August 9th," Gerke said. "At this time the police department does not have any suspect leads."

Investigators believe the vandalism took place sometime after 8 p.m. Sunday and before 9 a.m. Monday, the sergeant said.

Any possible witnesses are asked to contact Petaluma PD by calling 707-778-4372.

Similar incidents of vandalism were investigated in late June when the park's tennis courts became a place where residents hung signs and artwork expressing their feelings over the death of George Floyd.

According to a July 8 update to the community, the Petaluma City Council at its July 6 meeting adopted a resolution designating the tennis court fences at Leghorns Park as an area for public speech where signs could be lawfully affixed and where defacing, destroying or unauthorized removal of the signs was prohibited.

City officials said the Council action was in response to a request from the Kindness Committee, a group of Petaluma girls ages 11 to 14 who've been posting inspirational signage around town. Over the past several weeks, their signs — particularly those supporting the Black Lives Matter movement— were repeatedly taken down.

According to the city's July 8 community update:

"The Council action provided authority for the Petaluma Police Department and City Code Enforcement Officers to cite anyone who vandalized or removed the signs without authorization.

"The City Council established the fences at Leghorns Park as a designated forum for speech through Aug. 6, at which time the designation will expire, unless extended for an additional 30 days which the Council’s action provided for.

"The City Council action provided that signs may only be affixed to the Leghorns Park fences during times when the park is open to the public, and that signs may not be permanently affixed to the fences, or affixed so as to damage public property."