Sunday, January 30, 2011

Vandalism Hits Yarn Garden




This is on the window of our main entry. It's ugly and ruined.
These are just some photos of the damage. Many more windows were ruined.

Friday morning I arrived at the shop to find many of our windows assaulted with graffiti. Looking at all that damaged, I felt violated, and burst into tears. Eight of our windows were tagged with acid. That means they can't be fixed, each one has to be replaced. As a small business owner, I don't have a sack full of money stashed in the closet to pay for these types of expenses.

I called the police, Officer Sothern arrived and took information and photos to file a report. Due to the replacement cost and lettering on the windows (estimated cost $10,000) this incident is a felony.

The increase in graffiti on Hawthorne is disturbing. Many of us have already tried to lessen the problem by keeping lights on and my neighbor even had cameras mounted on his building.

If you become a victim of graffiti please report it to the police and fill out the online graffiti report at http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=46186&a=286366 and if you need emotional support give me a call.


The acid close up. It spreads and etches the glass, ruining it.

-Jo, Owner

8 comments:

Michelle said...

I am so sorry! I hope that this acid isn't for sale to just anyone. What a shame that a few people want to make a mess of such a great area. I love Hawthorne and especially Yarn Garden!

I'll be glad to come and spend my yarn $ at your store, whatever the windows look like. ;)

Kristy said...

:( that's awful ((hugs)) here's some over the net emotional support. Saying prayers that you find the people who did this and that the funds come in quickly for new windows.

Anonymous said...

Oh that is terrible. What a horrible thing for someone to do.

Adrianne in Portland said...

It's too bad that a person needs to express him/herself in such a dangerous and expensive way - and the penalty will be severe.

Maybe you could get a legitimate window artist to cover it up until you can get the windows taken care of. Sorry to see such a thing.

Imagine carrying around acid!

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry this happened to your wonderful store. I hope you have Insurance....debbie ( can't you have a police patrol up there??)

Sarah said...

My heart goes out to you, Jo. I do hope the culprit(s) will be caught and penalized accordingly. As for replacement cost, does it cover by insurance?

Lindsey @ Yarnia said...

I am so sorry to hear about this! I just found out about it through the Oregonian knitting blog, I had no idea. This has been a big concern of mine as well down in my neighborhood. I'm really sorry to hear this happened to your shop, how devastating :(

Diane said...

I too saw this on the Oregonian knitting blog - I am so sorry this has happened! Hugs to you all!