Boiler Bay Beacon
SALEM — State Rep. David Gomberg is putting up a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever carried out a destructive overnight run through state park restrooms along the Lincoln County coast.
Gomberg announced the reward Tuesday in a news release issued by his legislative office.
Six parks and waysides were hit across approximately 20 miles of coastline north and south of Cape Foulweather.
The vandalism occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, and 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. Restrooms at Gleneden Beach, Fogarty Creek, Boiler Bay, Rocky Creek, Devils Punchbowl and Agate Beach sustained serious damage.
Park rangers discovered the destruction Saturday morning.
Locked doors leading into men’s and women’s restrooms were broken open. Inside, doors were pulled from stalls, paper dispensers were torn from walls, sinks were damaged and toilets were shattered. Plumbing was broken, mirrors were smashed and fires were intentionally started at several locations.
The Boiler Bay Beacon previously reported on the criminal mischief and arson investigation in its Aug. 28 installment of True Stories of the Oregon State Police.
Oregon State Police initially identified Agate Beach State Wayside, Otter Rock State Park, Gleneden Beach State Park and Fogarty Creek State Park as locations that may have been involved. Oregon State Parks separately reported damage and closures at the six restroom facilities stretching from Gleneden Beach to Agate Beach.
Some restroom buildings were forced to close completely. Others remain partially open while repairs are underway.
At Agate Beach Wayside in Newport, the men’s restroom was closed because of the damage. The women’s side was not damaged and remained open. Two portable toilets were placed near the restroom for visitors.
Parks employees are working to repair the facilities and reopen them as soon as possible. A total repair cost and reopening schedule were not immediately available.
Gomberg called the vandalism unacceptable, saying the damage was done not only to state property but to property belonging to the public.
“I find this attack on each of you and our guests unacceptable and intolerable,” Gomberg wrote in his weekly news report.
“Damage to state property is damage to your property, and all of us along the coast well understand the importance, popularity and high visibility of parks and waysides, especially during the busy summer months,” he said.
The vandalism came near the end of the summer tourism season, when coastal parks and waysides receive heavy use from residents and visitors traveling Highway 101.
Gomberg said the consequences go beyond damaged buildings and the cost of repairs.
“Vandalism to public toilets affects our welcoming reputation, our tourism economy, our joy at being close to the ocean, and occasionally our personal comfort as we drive Highway 101,” he said.
Oregon State Police are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in or around the restrooms late Friday or early Saturday to contact investigators.
Police also want residents and businesses with cameras along roads leading to or bordering the affected parks to review their recordings for vehicles, people or other activity that could be relevant to the investigation.
Anyone with information should call Oregon State Police dispatch at 800-442-0776 or dial *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers should reference case number SP26-274452.
