Vandals strike at South Valley Connector site

Police are keeping an eye out for vandals after graffiti and misplaced construction supplies were discovered at the South Valley Connector site on multiple occasions during the month of August.

The city of Pocatello’s engineering department said the most recent vandalism took place at a site off Bannock Highway.

“At first it was some graffiti on brand new concrete,” said Deirdre Castillo, head of the engineering department.

Castillo said construction supplies have also turned up missing or displaced.

“The contractor’s supplies (are) thrown onto the railroad property,” she said. “It’s over the weekend when the contractor’s not around.”

On one occasion, Castillo said someone even moved a porta-potty.

“I don’t think it was tipped over, but it was pushed out of its regular location,” she said.

The city said the connector should be complete by mid-December. In the meantime, officials are asking would-be vandals to stay away.

“They probably don’t think they’re doing that much damage and they’re just having fun, but it’s still a construction site and they need to stay out,” said Castillo.

The city said police have increased patrols in the area and contractors have installed security cameras.