Graffiti, including a swastika intermixed with other symbols and artwork, was found at the town skate park.

The Francestown Police Department investigated a report of the graffiti Aug. 17. Police Chief Fred Douglas reported at Monday’s Select Board meeting, that the person who discovered the graffiti took photographs and then painted over the graffiti because he did not want children coming to the park to see it. Douglas said that when he arrived at the skate park,  “no evidence remained” of the vandalism.

In response to questions from the Select Board, Douglas said he had researched the issue and determined that the graffiti at the skate park could not be considered a hate crime, as it was not directed at a specific person. 

“This is criminal mischief,” Douglas said. 

Select Board Chair Scot Heath said the board was very concerned about the incident. 

“We take this very seriously,” Heath said. “It’s not a joke, and it’s not a game. This is serious stuff, and it has to stop.”

Resident Sue Jonas asked Heath if the Select Board would issue a statement condemning the vandalism, in particular, the use of a swastika, and Heath responded that the board would do so as soon as possible.

Recreation Commission Chair Bob Bitterli noted that the he had heard from many people in the local skateboarding community asking how they could help, and urged the Recreation Department not to close the park as a result of the graffiti.

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“Apparently, this a favorite park for skaters in the region, and they consider in a hidden gem. One gentleman told me he had grown up skating at our park, and now he brings his own children there. I have had calls and emails from many skaters  over the last few days asking how they could help protect the park and help make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Bitterli said, adding that the Recreation Department will not close the skate park.

Bitterli said there had also been recent vandalism at the town pickleball courts, including the destruction of paddles left out for public use and reconfiguration of the nets, although the nets were not damaged. 

Douglas recommended installing motion-sensor cameras and lighting at both locations.

“When I was in Milford, we had vandalism about every other night at Keyes Park, and it was a nightmare. The only thing that stopped it was cameras,” Douglas said.

The Select Board passed a motion to authorize Pike to pursue installing cameras at the Recreation Department fields as well as repairing lighting at the park.