LAKEPORT >> The spot for one of the best views in Lake County has been hit by a string of vandalism, officials said Monday.
According to county public services director Lars Ewing, Vista Point — the home of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce building — has suffered instances of littering, property destruction and illegal off-road driving, forcing his department to perform extra repairs on top of routine maintenance.
“We’ve had to go more frequently,” he said, noting that a maintenance person is usually at the Lakeport Boulevard property a few times each week. “It’s repair and cleanup more so than just maintaining the property.”
An estimated count or cost wasn’t given, but Chamber CEO Melissa Fulton claimed that the problem has been chronic for “several weeks.” In that time frame, she added, wooden guardrails have been dismantled and pushed down the hill, old televisions have been used as target practice for shooters and bolted-down trashed cans have been dislodged.
“They’re just creating a lot of extra work and damage,” Fulton said. “It’s a total lack of respect for public property.”
In response to the destruction spree, she’s enlisted the help of the Lakeport Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol. Even with their limited resources, the law enforcement agencies have promised extra patrols of the area at night, the time most of the incidents take place.
So far, authorities have yet to identify anybody responsible for the damage and littering but the increased patrol may be making a difference.
“I haven’t heard of a report in the last week or so,” Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said. “We’d certainly like to identify whoever’s responsible.”
If that trend doesn’t hold and the destruction continues, Fulton said the lot — a popular hangout for tourists and residents — may have to be closed after hours. It’s a move neither Fulton, Ewing, nor Rasmussen take lightly.
“It would be a disservice to people who respect the property,” Fulton said. “I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Rasmussen added that he suspects that “young adults” could be responsible. Anybody with information is encouraged to call the LPD at (707) 263-5491 or by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT to 888777 followed by the message.
