Vandalism Serious, Can Be Felony Charge

Areas all over the Upper Cumberland are dealing with a rash of vandalism.

Cookeville Police Major Carl Sells said vandalism charges scale with the amount of damage done, and can escalate from misdemeanor to felony quickly.

“You know a lot of folks want to have the attitude ‘oh it’s just a harmless prank’ but that’s not true, if I’m throwing a rock through the window of a building you own, it’s not a harmless prank,” Sells said.

Fall, especially the month of October is traditionally a busy time for vandalism calls.

“We’re just now approaching the middle of September and of course Halloween will be upon us in another six or seven weeks, again, vandalism is vandalism, there’s no opting out just because it’s the month of October or nearing Halloween,” Sells said.

If you see someone damaging public or private property, call your local authorities