BB shootings damage businesses

MOSES LAKE — Nearly two dozen businesses have had to call the police in the last two weeks, to report their windows shot out by BBs.

Reports have been coming into the Moses Lake Police Department almost daily as the small pellets continue to put holes in business windows, and in some cases shoot those windows out. The shootings have concentrated on Third and Broadway Avenues, but officers have responded to other parts of the city as well in recent weeks.

MLPD Captain Jim Jenkins said the department is trying to get more officers out on the street at the time these incidents are happening.

"We've had experience with this in the past," Jenkins said, "it's been at least several years since we've had a malicious mischief like this."

The damages are falling into the categories of third- and second-degree malicious mischief. Second-degree malicious mischief is identified by damage between $250 and $1,500 and is considered a Class C Felony. The damage Jenkins has seen so far has been limited to commercial establishments, and has been committed with an airsoft, BB or pellet gun. The quiet shooting that comes with BB and pellet guns makes the perpetrators hard to spot, he said.

One of the first businesses to be hit in this recent rash was The Home Center on West Broadway. District Manager Wendy Cox was called by MLPD officers Oct. 30 and notified that a few of the business' windows had been shot out.

"There was just glass everywhere," Cox said of her showroom floor. The business has offered a reward for the vandalism, and has ordered new windows.

"I can't understand how someone finds pleasure in it," Cox said, "It's just scary."

Police have responded to businesses with BB holes nearly everyday since. One of those more recent businesses is Edward Jones on the 2200 block of W. Broadway Avenue. Branch Investment Representative Ted Thomas had just one shot and one hole hit his window, and hasn't had anybody comment on the hole yet.

"I think it's sort of an irritation," Thomas said, "It's just showing a lack of respect for people's property. It all comes down to people not showing respect for other people's property, unfortunately."

For now, Thomas said he is going to wait and see if this vandalism around town stops before he replaces the window.

"I'd hate to replace it and have it happen again," Thomas said.

Jenkins said that anyone seeing anything suspicious or with any information regarding the incidents is asked to call the MLPD to report it.