B&G Club is targeted by vandals

Graffiti vandals caused thousands of dollars of damages to the new roof at the Moorpark Boys & Girls Club on Casey Road. The incident occurred on July 19 or 20.

This is the second time that the roof has been the target of vandals in the last 13 months, said Scott Mosher, the club’s executive director.

“What’s different about this (time) is that the graffiti is painted on the roof with rollers so it’s more destructive,” Mosher said.

Because spray washing would damage the integrity of the roof, its asphalt shingles must be replaced.

The roof of the old high school gymnasium was just replaced in spring 2008 after portions of it were torn off by heavy winds earlier that year.

“There is a lack of understanding of how destructive graffiti is,” Mosher said. “I don’t think they understand the costs involved and how this takes away from what we’re trying to do—help kids.”

Law enforcement officers and club leaders said they are working on ideas to increase security and discourage criminal activity.

Adding lights or cameras, however, would take money away from the club’s programs— and there isn’t extra cash sitting around these days.

“I wish these kids would understand that this is a place in existence for them, for kids in our community,” said Capt. Ron Nelson of the Moorpark Police.

Problems with vandals have been ongoing in recent months, he said.

Police also received about 10 reports of cars being damaged during apparent gang retaliations last weekend.

Residents who witness criminal activity in Moorpark are asked to call police at (805) 5322700.

“We would certainly take any help from the public to identify who does this,” Nelson said.