Wednesday — February 11, 2004

Hailey police pursue leads in vandalism investigation

---

By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

Several politically disgruntled students may be charged with felony malicious injury to property following Hailey police interviews last week.

Of the five people allegedly involved, two are under the age of 18. One is 18, and two have not yet been questioned, because they no longer live locally, said Hailey Patrol Officer Steve England. None of the boys or young men have been formally charged yet.

Following interviews, England said he believes two boys, age 14 and 15, are responsible for vandalizing about eight or nine stop signs in Hailey, the golden arches sign in front of McDonald’s and a middle school wall.

England said the two boys may have used black marker and black paint to write politically charged messages. On stop signs, they allegedly wrote Bush in 2004 below the word "STOP." On the wall of the middle school, they allegedly wrote, "challenge conformity."

England said three other young men may be responsible for vandalizing another eight or nine stop signs, a wall at the Hailey Elementary School and a trailer at the Hailey Rodeo Grounds. The three men allegedly used a template depicting President George W. Bush with the words, "one term president" beneath the likeness.

In all, a lot of damage was inflicted, England said.

The Wood River Middle School sustained $8,000 to $10,000 in damages. The McDonalds sign is estimated at $4,000. And 17 stop signs were damaged at about $50 each, a $850 price tag.

Hailey City Engineer Tom Hellen said the vandalized stop signs must be replaced.

"It’s not the sort of paint you can get off," said Hailey City Engineer Tom Hellen. "They have to be replaced to be legal, and we don’t budget 20 new signs every year."

Hailey City Administrator Jim Azumano said the vandalism of city property was "unfortunate and costly" and included "tagging" of the Hailey Elementary School and the skate park.

"There is not enough money to go around for everything everyone wants in the first place," he said. "It’s a double burden on the taxpayer."

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.