Sikeston officials offering $1000 reward for information about bathroom vandalism

SIKESTON, Mo., (KBSI) — Officials are offering a $1000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for damaging two bathrooms at the Sikeston Recreational Complex.

The now closed bathrooms were significantly damaged over the weekend. A urinal in one men’s bathroom was destroyed and a sink was destroyed in the other.

Sikeston Parks and Recreation Director Josh Meyer said the vandalism was discovered by a maintenance worker Monday morning.

“The bathroom sink was pulled out from the wall and dropped and shattered, and the urinal was unfortunately lit on fire,” he said, “basically just destroyed from the outside.”

According to Meyer, they are reviewing surveillance video and working with the department of public safety as they try to find the culprits. They’re seeking the public’s help, as well.

“We will take any information we can get. We really do want to try to stop this,” he said. “We’re proud of our parks, especially here at the complex.”

He said they want people to be able to come to the park, enjoy themselves, and stay a while — to do that they need usable restrooms.

Anyone with knowledge of the vandalism is asked to contact the Sikeston Department of Public Safety or Sikeston Parks and Recreation.

According to Meyer, they are offering a $1000 reward for information about the incident that leads to a conviction.

Park-goer Laura Wilson said she’s new to the area and has enjoyed going to the park with her family. She said the vandalism inconveniences people and called it disrespectful to everyone who uses the park.

“My son’s almost four,” she said. “He shouldn’t have to try to hold it to make it all the way across the park because somebody’s ungrateful and destroyed a bathroom.”

Meyer said they are working on repairs and expect to re-open the bathrooms within a matter of days. Looking to the future, he said they are also considering the possibility of getting something sturdier — more commercial-grade — that’s more difficult to damage.