"Nobody wants to see our community all tagged up:" Popular Manitowoc gem closed due to graffiti

MANITOWOC (WITI) --      Manitowoc Police say a popular lakeshore attraction will remain closed for at least another day. According to police, last week vandals spray-painted swastikas, curse words and other graffiti on the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse, dog park and railings on the Blue Rail Trail that leads out to a 24-acre man-made island on Lake Michigan. Some residents say they're upset the actions of some, are ruining a lakefront gem for all.

The city closed access to the Blue Rail Trail for the public on Friday, June 27th.

"It has so much to offer, and it's really sad that there have to be people that want to denigrate it," Bonnie Bittle of Manitowoc said.

Bittle frequents the trail, as does her eight-year-old Weimaraner Bradley.

"It's fun for the dogs to go out there too," Bittle said.

The city has released photos that show the damage to the dog park benches, signs, railings and lighthouse that prompted the closure.

It's normally a popular spot to see the Manitowoc skyline or catch an up-close glimpse of the Lake Michigan Carferry.

"I took my son out here. We were hoping to just go out there to the lighthouse. The carferry's actually in right now and we're hoping to maybe just snap some photos as the carferry was leaving. Well, we come out to find this and, I guess we won't be seeing the carferry today," Michael Reno said.

Reno says it's sad that a person - or persons' - decision to deface property is ruining it for everyone.

"I think it's wrong that they actually had to close the entire thing down, just because some kids are graffiti-ing it, because that ruins it for everybody," Reno said.

"Nobody wants to see our community all marked up and tagged up," Manitowoc Police Captain Larry Zimney said.

Zimney says the Department of Public Works was able to repaint the lighthouse Friday, but unable to get to the rest of the repairs.

Zimney says the vandalism reflects on the community, and it costs taxpayers.

That's why the department wants people to be on the lookout.

"If they see something suspicious, give us a call, call our dispatch and give us a call and we'll go check it out," Zimney said.

Zimney says the department plans to allow public access to the trail, dog park and lighthouse by Monday, at the earliest. That is, if the weather cooperates with repairs.

The city says it's working on a plan to better protect the area ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, which will include security cameras.