City workers rushed to remove the spray-painted message while police investigate the incident.
Graffiti Discovered by City Employee
City Hall in Grand Junction, Colorado, became the latest target of vandalism after an anti-ICE message was spray-painted onto its exterior. The graffiti, which contained a derogatory statement against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was found by a Parks and Recreation employee. Workers immediately began the cleanup process, though the removal proved to be a challenge due to the brick surface.
“Our staff really takes a lot of pride in removing it as quickly as possible, so we deter further incidences,” said Ken Sherbenou, Parks and Recreation Director for Grand Junction.
Cleanup Efforts Faced Challenges
The city’s Parks and Recreation Department spearheaded the removal effort, with help from a contractor. Given the rough brick surface, the process required additional time and specialized equipment to fully erase the paint.
- Workers started removing the graffiti as soon as it was discovered.
- Due to the brick texture, cleaning required extensive scrubbing and chemical treatments.
- A contractor assisted in ensuring complete removal without damaging the building.
Officials emphasized that the department does not comment on the nature of graffiti messages but instead prioritizes prompt removal.
Police Investigation Underway
The Grand Junction Police Department confirmed that the incident is under investigation. The case remains open, with authorities reviewing security footage that may provide leads on potential suspects.
“We’re really grateful to work closely with our police. They’re doing a lot of really innovative things when it comes to the camera systems,” Sherbenou noted. “We actually potentially might have footage of this incident, and they’re now working on that investigation to hopefully identify the folks that made this poor decision.”
Growing Concern Over Public Property Vandalism
This is not the first time public property in Grand Junction has been defaced. Recent months have seen an uptick in graffiti, prompting city officials to focus more on deterrence and rapid cleanup. The goal, according to Sherbenou, is to discourage further acts by ensuring that messages do not remain visible for long.
The city continues to work closely with law enforcement to monitor areas vulnerable to vandalism. Officials urge residents to report any suspicious activity near public buildings.
