Wednesday night’s monthly meeting proved to be yet another chance for the Township Board to discuss the vandalism that continues to plague Santiago township.  Several residents and the entire town board all voiced their frustration with the newest round of damage, this time including the removal of traffic signs as well as extensive, vulgar graffiti spray painted on the 12th street bridge.

“After 10 years of this crap, I’ve had it,” said a visibly frustrated board chair Stuart Nelson.  “It started with damage at the intersection of 7th street and now it’s all over the township.”

Supervisor Jeff Pappenfus pointed to the continuing financial costs of cleaning up after the folks who are committing criminal damage to property.

“We’ve been spending a lot of money,” he said, referencing the costs of repair and clean up in the past. 

Several residents who were in attendance at the meeting have been able to narrow down some of the timeframes of the damage and much of it seems to be occurring during daytime hours.

The damage has been increasing in frequency as of late, as it started with deep ruts being put in the gravel roadways and now includes graffiti on bridges, damaged and stolen traffic signs and even criminals siphoning gas out of boats parked in people’s yards.  In addition, witnesses reported seeing unlicensed ATV’s in the area and other damage being done by pickup trucks.  Residents have witnessed people “smoking pot and doing drugs” near the bridges, as well as “hood surfing” on vehicles as they travel down the roadway.  Most of the time, the violators are moving so fast and creating so much dust that there isn’t a chance to get license plate numbers.  Other times, the vehicles have gone off road and ripped up corn fields.

SCSO Sergeant Andy Ochs talked with the board about the efforts of the deputies in patrolling the area, as evidenced by last month’s sheriff’s report which included 70 calls for service.  Many of them were traffic stops conducted with the extra patrols occurring in the area.   Ochs echoed the frustration of the citizens and pledged to continue to work to catch the violators.

The board was appreciative of the efforts of law enforcement and talked about the need for citizens to step forward with information.

“We don’t expect the Sheriffs Office to sit on the bridge all day,” added Nelson.

As the discussion continued, Nelson offered a resolution to approach the situation in a different manner by leaving the destruction visible for everyone to see until someone comes forward with information.  His plan was to stop the grading of affected roadways and to leave the graffiti so more area residents can see firsthand what is happening in their neighborhoods and maybe that would spur people to get involved.

Supervisor Dave Jehoich agreed, stating “someone has to be seeing this happening during the daytime.”

However, Jehoich was concerned about the roadways becoming dangerous and Nelson accepted the friendly amendment to his motion that the roads remain passable for emergency vehicles and not be allowed to become a serious hazard to equipment or vehicles.

The supervisors also decided the new approach would apply to all township gravel roadways since the damage is occurring all across the township. Nelson’s motion passed unanimously and he summarized the board’s position to the public.

“We’re sick and tired of spending taxpayer dollars to fix things so these clowns can continue to tear things up,” he said.

Many residents nodded their heads in agreement.

In other business, the board:

• Listened to the fire department update, which included five medical calls last month in the township;

• Heard from Jeff and Lynn Peterson who were in attendance to thank the rescue squad for their quick and professional response to a 9-1-1 call recently.  The Petersons presented the department with a donation as part of their gratitude;

• Received an update that the grills have been installed at the township park;

• Learned that the township’s CARES Act funding has been received and deposited.  The fire department will forward its list to Clerk Kathy Woolard so these purchases can be made in compliance with the legal deadlines.