Vandals strike downtown Cape Girardeau mural wall

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – “It can’t simply just be cleaned off; it has to be done properly,” said Liz Haynes, executive director of Old Town Cape.

A call to the Cape Girardeau Police Department was made regarding the graffiti painted on the mural Tuesday evening.

Now, police are investigating the incident in search of the suspects.

“It’s going to be felony property damage is what the suspects will be facing,” said Bobby Newton, public information officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Leaving Old Town Cape with the financial responsibility to clean it up.

“We need to make this happen as quickly as possible, so we can restore it to the splendor that we all know and love,” Haynes said. “Unfortunately, the damage was done to the mural itself as opposed to just the bare flood walls.”

If painted further down the wall line – away from the mural, on the bare concrete- the issue wouldn’t have been as damaging.

“It’s just a senseless act, there’s no need for it. The city puts in a lot of money to have nice things in the city, including this. There’s just no need to destroy property that others enjoy having around,” said Newton.

Cape Girardeau Police Department urges anyone with knowledge of the event to come forward with any information.