Sioux Falls Police respond to vandalism at Falls Park

The Sioux Falls Police Department responded to a report of vandalism Sunday morning.

Sioux Falls Parks Department employees had discovered that during the overnight hours an unknown person or persons had done damage to several of the light poles and Christmas decorations within Falls Park.

Christopher Reistroffer was out walking his dog Sunday morning at Falls Park when he noticed broken lights on the ground and broken Christmas lights off of the bridge.

“I think it’s a letdown to know that there are young people, likely, in our community that a, don’t have anything better to do and number two they don’t have an understanding of what it means to be a part of a community,” Reistroffer said.

He’s not alone.

“Oh I think it’s horrible because it ruins everything for everybody. Then we all can’t enjoy it,” Teresa Rau said.

“It’s just crazy whoever did it. I don’t know what went through their mind to just do that to Falls Park. I don’t know if they’re just doing it for attention or what, but hopefully they find the person who did it and hopefully get new lights on,” Pascil Scotting said.

Reistroffer said he would like to see those who vandalized the park be encouraged by the court system to work hand in hand with the Parks and Rec Department.

“So they can come out they can fix what they've damaged and I think it would be great to have those same young folks be a part of some of the events that we have going on here in Sioux Falls. So they can understand that whether they found it funny or not they are a part of our community,” Reistroffer said.

No suspect information is available at this time.

Contact the Sioux Falls Police Department or Crime Stoppers of the Sioux Empire if you have any information regarding this incident.