Vandal Tags Multiple Buildings in Garberville

The vandal's photo has been taped over one of his tags on an empty building.

The vandal’s photo has been taped over one of his tags on an empty building in Garberville. [Photo by Robin Fleckles]

Just a few minutes before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, an unknown person vandalized several buildings at the north end of the downtown area of Garberville with spray paint.

Vandal

Still image of the vandal taken from surveillance tape. [Photo provided by the Community Credit Union]

“He stood there and took pictures of his work. He was proud of what he did,” said a frustrated Pat Neighbors, President and CEO of the Community Credit of Southern Humboldt at 757 Redwood Drive. “Less than two years ago, the whole building was re-stuccoed and painted…..Cleaning and re-painting will cost at least $2000 and, if it needs to be re-stuccoed, it’s going to cost a lot more,” she added.

Thanks to cameras installed by business owners around town, many of them, including the credit union, have the incident and the vandal on video.

“We called the Sheriff when we got to the office on Wednesday morning and a deputy came and took a statement” and the video evidence, Neighbors said. She added that they are awaiting a case number from the investigating deputy so she can file an insurance claim.

“We’re the community credit union, we’re not a bank, so ultimately it’s our members who are paying to have this fixed,” she pointed out. “I believe the Sheriffs are doing the best they can, they often leave a sticky note on the door during the night just to let us know that they checked our place or have moved some people along, there is just only so much they can do.”

North wall of the Community Credit Union

Graffiti sprawls over the north wall of the Community Credit Union. [Photo by Robin Fleckles]

She noted, “At a time when so many of us are trying to lift this community up, this is really distressing. Then added that last summer, right after the credit union moved its administrative offices into a newly-renovated space that was formerly the House of Burgess, “someone threw a rock through our new dual-paned window.”

Tagged building adjacent to CCU of SH back of parking lot

Tagged building at the back of the Community Credit Union. [Photo by Robin Fleckles]

She also points out that for a while now credit union staff has had to ask people to move out of their entranceway in the morning so that customers can enter the building and “sometimes employees have been afraid to go through our back entrance when they come to work because of people lurking around outside [the entrance].”

But, then she adds with a determined smile, “This where our roots are, we’re not going anywhere.”

Painted over graffiti

One business quickly painted over the vandal’s marks. [Photo by Robin Fleckles]

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Yeah,sure
Guest
Yeah,sure
4 years ago

And if you can’t even decipher what it says….. what is the point? Catch this vandal.

The Real Brian
Guest
The Real Brian
4 years ago
Reply to  Yeah,sure

The guy should stick to paper and pencil.

I was trying to read it, and I’m probably wrong but I see “Erase”.

THoGM
Guest
THoGM
4 years ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

I see boobies. But then again, I always see boobies.

Ruthless Villains
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  THoGM

Its abstract lettering. Called a throw-up.. Bubble letters with style you can do fast. I like it. Good consistant style. Cant be from Humboldt. But i see how some dont get it. The walls are tempting though. How about a mural? My guess is that dude wouldn’t have bombed over other art. Graffiti has more to do with fame rather than other slouchy, poop in the doorway crime. Gang tags, for instance, are a whole different genera and have different style if any. Some of the sad people probably gush over banksy and Keith Haring

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago

Hey cool story, thanks for sharing

Anotherop
Guest
Anotherop
4 years ago

Its not his building, and the rest of us have to pay for it. You know, just like real, actual artists pay for their own canvases, paints and other materials. Like grown-ups. People that do this are beyond sad.

For sure
Guest
For sure
4 years ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

It doesn’t really look any worse than that building itself…And I also want to say that whenever I go to town, from the bank, the CR. Union, to the stores & restaurants, I see beautiful nice people working everywhere . I am thankful to be here. Hey, no traffic lights…how cool is that? People need to stop complaining & remember to appreciate all the wonders we have here.

Orange Sunshine
Guest
Orange Sunshine
4 years ago
Reply to  Yeah,sure

It’s species specific. Dogs piss on fire hydrants to let other dogs know who’s territory it is. This guy, Homo sapiens taganonymous, is simply marking his territory for others of his devolving species. Check out their mating ritual. I believe it’s on YouTube.

This Is My Name
Guest
This Is My Name
4 years ago

““We’re the community credit union, we’re not a bank, so ultimately it’s our members who are paying to have this fixed.””

I’m sorry, what? Where did all the money go for $5 paper statements each month? Where did the money go for being taxed for making CASH DEPOSITS? Why on earth would the members end up paying for this? The CCUSH makes money off of its members, which is how it functions.

Ridiculous.

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
4 years ago

Open a Credit Union, show us the right way, do not keep your talents to yourself. The right person could probably get this started for only just $150,000 out of pocket risk and a lifetime of headaches, you are that person!

This Is My Name
Guest
This Is My Name
4 years ago
Reply to  Chuck U

Sorry, Chuck U, you’re missing the point. The credit union operates to make money. They make money not only on the loans they issue, but also on the funds sitting in all of our accounts. All sensible businesses retain money for “emergency” situations or events outside of their control.

For the CCUSH to come out saying that they, as a business, won’t ultimately be the ones paying for the “damages”, but the account-holders/members, is ridiculous and unacceptable, ESPECIALLY if their insurance company ends up paying for the “repairs.”

So Hum Kids
Guest
So Hum Kids
4 years ago

It’s like shopping carts at grocery stores. When they are stolen or taken from the premises, then they need to be replaced. As customers/shoppers at the store we may not pay a “shopping cart fee”, but with extensive shopping cart losses we will see a rise in grocery prices to compensate. Therefore, the customer pays for those shopping carts getting pushed off the premises. Same thing here.
I hope this guy has to wash it all off….

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
4 years ago

All costs are passed on to the customer, they don’t pass around a jar to the employees to pay for insurance. Prove me wrong, do your own.

Interest rates have been below 2.5% for over a decade, you are a small local player without access to international derivatives markets or overnight discount window at the Fed you are getting your ass handed to you. It is about consolidation into the most connected hands. I wouldn’t wish being a small community banker on my worst enemy.

CAROL -
Guest
CAROL -
4 years ago

it’s called “trickle down”…the expense is always passed on to the consumer

Randall Crush
Guest
Randall Crush
4 years ago

Aren’t CUs non profit, member-owned institutions? They aren’t in the business of posting profits for shareholders, they exist to service members.
A for-profit business could cover this expense from revenues paid to owners/shareholders, but at a CU, the members are the shareholders.

Bobbysox
Guest
Bobbysox
4 years ago
Reply to  Chuck U

Hire some local aspiring artists to paint a mural on that wall. Channel that urge into constructive public art.

ernestine
Guest
ernestine
4 years ago
Reply to  Bobbysox

I like this idea a lot.

They can do a lot for 2Gs! And we dont have to worry about going above that into restucko costs

Member
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Bobbysox

I’d rather pay for that

Pissed off Marine
Guest
Pissed off Marine
4 years ago

I agree ! We pay taxes for the hospital, cops, holes in the roads, and taxed and taxed to death. Where and how is all the money disappearing to? I dont see it. I for one, am sick and tired of it all. Maybe if the cops would work a little more on the important stuff like meth and heroin, maybe stop paying for the fire depts putting out the fires 3 to 4 times a week at the homeless camps. Maybe just maybe they would have more money for donuts. When is enough, enough? How many idiots watched and laughed while this was happening? 40 years ago, this was a very wonderful place to live. Someone would of stopped the lil jerk and jerked a knot in his ass. You think maybe this is a job for the almighty Honsell and ford??? maybe there is a code violation for this. RIDICULOUS

Elvis Costanza
Guest
Elvis Costanza
4 years ago

I lived in Miranda in the 60s, left for a few years and moved back to Eureka then Garberville in ’74. It was still paradise then.Recently visited to swim the river, walk in the woods, and nothing else. Stayed in Miranda. It breaks my heart to see how filthy and scary G’ville is most days. Lots of bad vibes from new arrivals, too. Next time I’ll get a t shirt made that says ‘I was LOCAL when you were still in grade school in Hayward, dipshit’.

Yeah,sure
Guest
Yeah,sure
4 years ago
Reply to  Elvis Costanza

Sohum has made a drastic turn for the worse in the past 15 years. You saw the results of rampant transients, meth, heroin and the greenrush. It’s sad. I don’t know if it will ever recover.

Roe
Guest
Roe
4 years ago

Have you not been reading the news? The cops have been seizing huge amounts of meth and heroin over the past few months

Doggo
Guest
Doggo
4 years ago

50 years ago I could not get service in local restaurants because I was a “hippie”. Garberville is just a town, like all small towns everywhere. Not special, not magical. No better and no worse.
For those of you who have roofs over your heads and doors that lock, be grateful. If you have a job, be grateful. If you are mentally healthy, be grateful.
Not everyone is as fortunate as you.

onlooker
Guest
onlooker
4 years ago
Reply to  Doggo

I agree with you on the points you make… but how do they relate to the news story?

shak
Guest
shak
4 years ago
Reply to  Doggo

All restaurants boasted a sign that (paraphrazedly) said”
No shirts (health code)
No shoes (health code)
No backpacks (theft deterrent)
No Service. (except a free ride in the back of a cop car if you insisted on doing things your way at somebody elses’ property).
(parenthesis mine)

Those were the good old days.

It was a thing back then, to steal the towels, soaps, shampoos, etc from hotel rooms … and to steal the silver ware, salt & pepper shakers, condiments, menu’s, etc from restaurants.
Now they also steal your space and time.
Cwazy times we’re living in.

CAROL -
Guest
CAROL -
4 years ago
Reply to  Doggo

having a roof over my head was not something that just happened!!!! everyone has to contribute to life, not just fuck off and be irresponsible, thinking that everyone owes him/her

Judy
Guest
Judy
4 years ago
Reply to  Doggo

Garberville used to be nice and we enjoyed our visits. Last visit was in April and I was shocked at what Garberville has turned into. It is a dirty run down town, bums, businesses shut down and in 3 day’s could not find anything good to eat. It will be our last time even stopping for a moment.

curious
Guest
curious
4 years ago

property insurance?

Muse
Guest
Muse
4 years ago

And everyone at the Credit Union is a volunteer who works for free because they love rude customers and counting moldy cash? They train to do credit counseling and to spend hours helping members apply for loans and never earn a dime? Of course not. The money comes from fees members pay in order to have the services. It is a professional operation run by hard working people. That’s where your service fees go.

Jl
Guest
Jl
4 years ago
Reply to  Muse

Minimum 2000 to repair. Ok hire me.

Government Cheese
Guest
Government Cheese
4 years ago

Back when I roamed the streets of garberville as a teen we could count the local bums on one hand. Now there’s hundreds of transients. Social Parasites is all they are. Take. Give nothing but misery. Let me see….. back in my day we had Beer Can Bob, Earpicker, SquirrelTail , Rabbittooth and Chester.

lol
Guest
lol
4 years ago

Vern is a walking theater company.

Government Cheese
Guest
Government Cheese
4 years ago
Reply to  lol

Vern and Ron. Celebrity death match! Ding ding round one. In the right corner wearing a welders mask with tree branches and styrofoam cups we have Rrrooonnnnn! In the left corner wearing a constant hitchhiking thumb and piss soaked pants we have Vverrrnn!

Elvis Costanza
Guest
Elvis Costanza
4 years ago

Waiting for the usual “art apologists” to show up and condescend to tell us about freedom of expression, the voice of the street, blahblahblah. Graffiti is a crime because it’s ugly and damages someone else’s property, nothing cool or artistic about it.

Just don't tag MY stuff.
Guest
Just don't tag MY stuff.
4 years ago

Haha, the tagger is gonna print and frame that pic of him pasted to the door. “The Tagger”. That’s renegade gold right there. “WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE, BUT MORE DEAD”.

Geoffrey davis
Guest
Geoffrey davis
4 years ago

does he have tatoos on his skiinny arms? if so….ive seen him around.

Pat Neighbors
Guest
Pat Neighbors
4 years ago

Hello fellow Post”ers” –thanks for the feedback. This is Pat, CEO at the Credit Union… I’ll clarify my statement about the members paying for this damage. As a credit union, the whole thing is owned by our members – (there is no “the credit union” as a separate entity, like a bank that sends its income from its customers to investors and share holders.) We all benefit from the income the CU makes. The fees (not taxes) and the interest members pay their local CU pays for our operating costs – and pays for our many community sponsorships and donations to our local organizations that support our friends and neighbors. Funds that are left after our expenses – net income – is put in our reserve. The credit union WILL be paying for the damage from our strong reserves , thanks to the loyalty of our members and the solid stewardship of the management and your volunteer board for 40 years- but that’s our members’ money. We will pay what insurance doesn’t cover. This story is really about us coming together to find ways to keep our town safe and inviting and beautiful – the credit union is working hard to be a part of that. Thanks – If you want to have any further talks about the CU, please reach out to me directly.

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
4 years ago
Reply to  Pat Neighbors

Nice. That ball went out of the park.

Orange Sunshine
Guest
Orange Sunshine
4 years ago
Reply to  Pat Neighbors

Thanks, Pat. Unfortunately logic, reason and even subtle humor is lost in many of the RHBB posters; especially those who lack empathy. Keep up your good work at the CU and the community.

Ukiah borne
Guest
Ukiah borne
4 years ago
Reply to  Pat Neighbors

That new bigger branch in Ukiah is going to cost the sohum community a lot more than painting over that graffiti.

Randall Crush
Guest
Randall Crush
4 years ago
Reply to  Pat Neighbors

Thank you! I knew this and tried to explain above.

Steveau
Guest
Steveau
4 years ago

Wholly despicable. Another bad apple in need of re-education. But..

Most transients care about this town, it’s looks, cleanliness, it’s forests and general vibe. Some are actively engaged in fire patrolling all summer. There is a code of ethics for the backpackers. Very sorry that this individual refused to follow it and think before painting. Needs a long community service job..

Great idea the mural at the parking lot…let’s do it!

Jo
Guest
Jo
4 years ago

The pre trim season norm. Lots of these fools will make zero trimming this year. The more raids there are the less jobs there will be

Eric Kirk
Guest
Eric Kirk
4 years ago

There was a time when graffiti was at least creative and artistic.

Shmartist.
Guest
Shmartist.
4 years ago
Reply to  Eric Kirk

Now’s the time, it’s better than ever. With more good comes more bad. Take a train from the bay to LA, it’s like an art show. I recommend looking west on the ride down, east on the ride up. Some really good stuff, and more of it than ever.

Guest
Guest
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  Eric Kirk

No there wasn’t. Even in ancient times it was mostly complaint and advertising. Most of the time it’s a long line of penis drawings, plagiarized comic, tags, gang messages etc. Occasionally it rises to the level of art of poetry but 99% percent is simply trash. And pretty ugly trash at that.

Sparkle Mahn
Guest
Sparkle Mahn
4 years ago

It’s refreshing NOT to see comments about Liberals and Conservatives. Must be a bunch of permanently moderated.

Roe
Guest
Roe
4 years ago
Reply to  Sparkle Mahn

Too bad you ruined it

Love your neighbors
Guest
Love your neighbors
4 years ago

His tag belongs in the city sewer. No class
Take the $2000.00 and pay a real artist to cover it up with a mural. I thought there was going to be murals painted there anyway. Perhaps those in charge are taking to long to use the canvas?

Street Name Not Avaiable
Guest
Street Name Not Avaiable
4 years ago

The term for him is ‘toy’. These stale and soulless palates (walls) are perfect places for some murals/street art. There’s plenty of artists in So Hum and it could also be an opportunity to teach kids street art.

Elvis Costanza
Guest
Elvis Costanza
4 years ago

Ridiculous, stop trying to put a positive spin on plain old vandalism. If anyone WANTS this sh8t they can pay for it on THEIR wall. Sick and tired of entitled assholes and those who stick up for them.

Taggers
Guest
Taggers
4 years ago

The Stone Junction was tagged by the same guy, all along their fence that faces Main Street, whereas the CCUSH ones do not. And within 24 hours some of our fine citizens had gone out and bought paint and re-painted it. See, there are a lot of decent people in our community. Please stop bashing it!

Lost Coast Sauce
Guest
Lost Coast Sauce
4 years ago

Times they are a changing

Concerned Business Owner and Resident
Guest
Concerned Business Owner and Resident
4 years ago

We don’t need graffiti artists to repaint the town!! Please stop with this suggestion. Quit inviting and tolerating bad behavior from vagrant drifters!!

We need decent stores, businesses, hotels and restaurants and investment in the town infrastructure from the county.

We also need to CALL THE POLICE for Suspicious Behavior — Blocking doorways, sidewalks, loitering, drunk/drugged in public is street intimidation — have their asses dragged to jail. They will bounce out but keep calling. It’s not illegal to be homeless but it is illegal to pose a menace to the general public, health and safety of other people.

Turn people in for meth and heroine dealing aggressively.

The homeless camps around town and off the freeways need to be cleared out completely for code violations, drug use, vandalism, health and safety violations. Hold the supervisor ACCOUNTABLE. We DO NOT NEED a place for people to have a safe haven in Garberville to be bums. CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT.

All of the human waste and drugs and trash are going into our streams — Where is Fish and Game on this??

Get active. Stop tolerating. Use the tip lines. File complaint with code and demand action from this supervisor. Less talk, more action.

aNunaMouse
Guest
aNunaMouse
4 years ago

YESSS!!

We need to be the change we want to see. Great message.

The general public feeling of defilement and unkemptness that tagging produces invites more tagging/more bad behavior (ever hear of the broken windows theory?).

I’ve been trying to formulate help for how to track down this booger. I looked at street view for that area and it appears pretty densely populated…how about a good citizen gives law enforcement a tip of who this ne’er do well is?

Be the change you want to see. A civilization requires participation. You don’t need to throw yourself into a possibly compromising situation but tell someone if you know who this is!! …somebody out there recognizes that mug.

Elvis Costanza
Guest
Elvis Costanza
4 years ago

Absolutely spot on. It’s like the “broken window” crime model: Once a community tolerates vandalism it is a sign to those who wish to commit more of it that it’s okay.

yonkers
Guest
yonkers
4 years ago

Where is Estelle Fennell?

Central HumCo
Guest
4 years ago
Reply to  yonkers

Broken Yolk performing w/John Ford – cutting a ribbon.

Indignant 1
Guest
4 years ago

Good ol regular California rearing its ugly head in the community…

Antix
Guest
Antix
4 years ago

What a jackass! Smh.

Bigsby
Guest
Bigsby
4 years ago

I know that vandal. His name is Raymond Porcell. He is from Portland and is probably on his back there now. I hope so because we don’t need that trash in our community.

Concerned Business Owner and Resident
Guest
Concerned Business Owner and Resident
4 years ago
Reply to  Bigsby

Bigsby, is this a serious ID of the vandal? Have you reported his name to the police? I will turn this in to the police so please let me know if this a real ID. Where does he usually hang out or associate with?

Thank you.

DANON TAYLOR
Guest
DANON TAYLOR
4 years ago

COME ON 2000.00……….U BUY THE PAINT I WILL DO IT FOR FREE…………………….DANON TAYLOR………….TAYLOR PAINTING……..707 498-6896……..keep it organic baby

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
4 years ago

Wow. Just wow.

Paint the wall. Take you 10 minutes. Guy above offered to do it for free…

Just paint the wall, and quit fussing. Cost of doing business.

In 24 years, my office was broken into 17 times. Feel lucky that he only sprayed some paint!

Garberville, kick out the bums, hire a police force, clean up your silly town. Simple.

Kym Kemp
Admin
4 years ago

From a guy who makes a habit out of creating longer comments than this article complaining about Garberville…..that’s kind of stunning.

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
4 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I am trying to recall a comment repudiated for loquaciousness or verbosity, but I can’t!

Comments often are more entertaining than the news item, but if they are longer than the item, I can see that they may be tiresome, so, let’s all express our thoughts concisely, correct all spelling and grammar errors, and, not use them as an example of literary graffiti, which is probably what I attempted previously…

No matter, since the individual that GBV wants drawn and quartered, he is an Air-tist, and does not care for restraint or boundaries; a truly free man who desires pure expression…

I am an Air-tist too, an excellent pundit of puns, and a critic of all things GBV, since GBV is in critical condition.

Nevertheless, I still think that my idea about you having many different photos, with different expressions, would be efficient, and less censorious than wholesale obliteration of comments not reaching mysterious standards…
Just think, one photo smiling, one photo with both eyes pointing skyward, one photo with one eyebrow lifted…
A picture is worth a hundred words, or, probably, several thousand of mine, so consider it!

Meanwhile, a true artist wants a reaction, and a massive level of fuss will validate him, so, just delete it. Fuss not.

Keep a bucket of white paint handy. Cheap, and more entertaining than an assertion that a bit of spray paint will cost $2000 to cover up while also raising costs to Credit Union customers… Doesn’t anyone have a teenage son who can operate a roller? Come on, really? $20 for the paint, $20 to the kid. Easy!

Elvis Costanza
Guest
Elvis Costanza
4 years ago

Jesus…YOU could have gotten off your ass and painted over it 10 times in the time it took you to compose a snooty post

avenuerider
Guest
4 years ago

stupid idiot wasn’t faster than the camera.This isn’t some ghetto in the city!!!

Taurusballzhoff
Guest
Taurusballzhoff
4 years ago
Reply to  avenuerider

Nah, it’s, (should I say it?), a place with much higher standards of behavior… And some security cameras.