We were informed about the incident by a Reader. In an email to the editorial office, they wrote: “A smashed window at the bus stop, a torn-out road sign, broken bottles on the roadway, a large stone in the middle of the road, and a rubbish bin from the bus stop thrown into the neighbours’ garden. This is how the rabble returned home after yesterday’s [sobotniej – przyp. red.]game on the sports field”.
“There is no way to deal with vandals,” says Anatoliusz Koper, deputy manager of the District Roads Authority. “Over the course of a year, we replace 300–400 road signs, and installing one costs around PLN 300.”
The fight against vandals is not easy. “Either they are caught in the act or they are not,” explains Emil Zając, commander of the Bolesławiec Municipal Police. “If the perpetrators are not apprehended immediately and there are no witnesses to the incident, it is difficult to establish the vandals’ identities.”
Police received a report about the damaged shelter on Sunday at around 4:00 a.m. When a patrol arrived at the scene, the hooligans were already gone. Now, for the police to take appropriate action, a request from the injured parties is necessary. It is not known whether the Municipal Transport Company will submit such a request. We were unable to contact the company’s president, Andrzej Jagiera.
Acts of vandalism are classified either as an offence (if the value of the damage is less than PLN 250) or as a crime. Replacing the window alone will certainly cost more than PLN 250. The perpetrators may face up to 5 years in prison.
(ii information)