City is cracking down on vandalism

HARTINGTON — The Hartington City Council made it known Tuesday, they will be cracking down on vandalism.

Earlier this fall, the Council discovered damage to the Hartington Community Complex parking lot. After reviewing footage from a security camera at the facility, they discovered a car was 'burning cookies' in the lot right after fresh gravel had been laid down. They turned the tape over to the Cedar County Sheriff's Department. Officers then tracked down the vehicle and the driver.

Mayor Mark Becker said the parents of the teenage driver were then contacted. They will be paying for the damage the vehicle made, he said.

Vandalism has to stop, Becker said. Councilman Roman Sudbeck said the city auditorium also receives some vandalism damage each year.

Becker said the city is tired of having to make repairs on vandalized property.

Security cameras have been installed at several city-owned properties, including the city auditorium, and community complex, he said.

'This just has to stop,' Becker said.