ANDERSON — The St. Vincent DePaul Charity Center has fallen victim to multiple acts of vandalism since its relocation to 2115 W. 25th St. four years ago, but early Thursday morning’s damage to its loading dock proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
A little before 3:30 a.m. Thursday, someone driving a car with its lights off approached the loading dock of the building’s rear before backing twice into the dock’s garage door. The driver, who remained in the vehicle, quickly sped off without trying to gain access to the building.
The costs of damage were pending, but church volunteer Bob Sniadecki said this marked the low point in a streak of vandalism that has collectively cost the nonprofit agency anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.
“There has been continuous damage to the building since we moved here, but not so severely as this,” Sniadecki said. “The gentleman who repaired (the garage door) for us said he doesn’t know how the car didn’t have major damage (sustained).”
Through taped surveillance at the charity center, the vehicle was revealed to be a dark-colored, mid-sized model, resembling a car involved from around the same time in an ongoing investigation by the Anderson Police Department traffic division. According to Sgt. William Casey, a 1980s model Oldsmobile of the same appearance is suspected of damaging four vehicles alongside Rev. James T. Menifee Drive between 25th and 26th streets. However, no certain connection had been made, and no further information was available Thursday afternoon.
The charity center had also fallen victim to derogatory graffiti as well as more minor instances of property damage, which Sniadecki said only takes away from funds that would otherwise contribute to the needy.
“Every time we have to replace something, it takes away from the overall pot,” Sniadecki said.
The most frustrating aspect, board president Margaret Dodd said, was the delay volunteers incur as a result of having to fix property damage.
“We’ve been very patient,” Dodd said. “At this point, from now on, any time there’s any damage, it needs to be reported to the police.”
Dodd said it was discouraging to arrive at the charity center each day in fear of finding what drug paraphernalia or other malicious acts had been left for volunteers to discover.
“This place means so much to us volunteers,” Dodd said. “It is real hurtful and discouraging when we believe we are helping people, and we really are.”
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