By Shannon Lukens.
This story has been updated on Thursday, Aug. 31. The City of Steamboat Springs is looking for information on the vandalism, and a cash reward is being offered. Call 970-879-1144.
SSPD Responds To Bias Motivated Criminal Mischief
Reward Offered For Information Leading to Arrest in Memorial Park Incident
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-August 31, 2023-On Wednesday, August 30, the Steamboat Springs Police Department (SSPD) responded to a report of bias motivated criminal mischief at Memorial Park, adjacent to the Steamboat Springs High School.
City employees found a Parks & Recreation picnic table in the park had been burnt and damaged with a large swastika. SSPD takes all crimes seriously, particularly those that target minorities or other groups in the community.
“There is no place in our small community for this type of behavior,” commented Police Chief Mark Beckett. “Our youth need to understand the impact that biased based crimes and antisemitism have on our community.”
A cash reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in this investigation. Call SSPD at 970.879.1144 with any information related to this crime.
“I firmly believe many youths in our community have forgotten the impact that the holocaust and World War II had on the global community,” continued Beckett. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated, and we are working hard to identify those involved and hold them accountable.”
Want to remain anonymous? Call Routt County Crime Stoppers, which provides the community with a proactive program to assist the police anonymously to solve crimes. If you have information about this or any crime, call Crime Stoppers at 970.870.6226.
You can also text-a-tip:
Step 1: Text NABM followed by your tip to 274637 (CRIMES).
Step 2: You will receive a text confirming your message.
In addition, SSPD encourages anyone who is concerned about school safety to utilize Safe2Tell (Safe2Tell.org). Safe2Tell is an anonymous way for students, parents, and the community to report any issues concerning safety or the safety of others.
ORIGINAL STORY on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023.
Swastikas have been carved into and burned on a picnic table on the edge of Memorial Park Field in Steamboat Springs. It’s on the edge of the park in an area called Kaster’s Cove along the creek, down from Steamboat Springs High School.
The table is a new one this summer, put there by the Steamboat Springs Parks and Recreation Department. They are also aware of the damage and vandalism. Matt Barnard with Parks and Rec says the maintenance staff will either resurface the table, or replace the damaged boards. They plan to remove those boards today because he says, “We don’t need to have that out there in our community.”
Steamboat Springs Police was made aware of the swastikas and vandalism this morning and they are investigating it. Steamboat Springs School District is also aware of the vandalism.
