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Bellingham Elementary School Playground Vandalized

BELLINGHAM (CBS) -- Bellingham Police are investigating after vandals spray-painted crude language and images on playground equipment.

bellingham vandalism playground
Vandalism on the South Elementary School playground in Bellingham. (Photo courtesy Amy Robey)

Police said in a Facebook post Tuesday morning that the vandalism was done some time in the last week at South Elementary School on Harpin Street.

bellingham vandalism playground
Vandalism on the South Elementary School playground in Bellingham. (Photo courtesy Amy Robey)

It took years of fundraising, $40,000 worth, but a year ago the town finally put up the playground.

"I love this town and I feel like whenever things happen even if it's in a negative fashion everybody responds very positively and I feel like it's a good lesson to teach the kids," parent Jen Leighton said.

Within hours, parents and DPW workers came out in force to clean the graffiti off the equipment.

The vandals have angered both kids and law enforcement.

"A lot of the guys are pretty upset about it, they're taking it personally, you don't like to see anything like this," said Bellingham Detective Steve Daigle. "Especially when kids are involved."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bellingham Police, but they have some leads.

"We have a list of names that we will be reaching out to soon," police said on Facebook. "If you think you might be on it we recommend calling us quickly to get ahead of it."

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