Sacramento parking meter vandal spree is knocking hundreds of machines out of commission
A wave of parking meter vandalism is sweeping Sacramento, putting hundreds of the machines out of commission and costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed repair.
More than 1,395 meters have been damaged, resulting in $400,000 in repairs and $15,000 in stolen revenue, according to a new Sacramento Police Department report detailing the level of damage and number of thefts caused by the vandals since October.
“These crimes not only impact the city’s budget but also disrupt the daily lives of our community members,” Sacramento Ppolice officials said in a social media post.
Officers have made arrests in several cases and are investigating many more, but the department is now appealing to Sacramento residents for help combat the curbside vandalism.
“Every theft presents new challenges, and your vigilance can make a big difference,” police officials said.
Police say people should watch for those tampering with parking meters, especially during late-night or early-morning hours, as well as suspicious behavior around city parking meters.
Police officials were also asking those with video footage of incidents to share them with law enforcement.
People can report suspicious activity on the department’s non-emergency line at 916-808-5471.
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