APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – What’s normally a quiet neighborhood has now seen more than a dozen tire slashings in the last few weeks. The vandalism has been happening in the Gillett Highlands area of Appleton. It’s near Kiwanis Park between W. Northland and W. Wisconsin Avenues.
Steve Huston has been living in the area for 32 years. He woke up Tuesday to find his truck’s tire was punctured six times.
“It’s not a fun or funny thing I don’t think,” Huston said.
“They have no clue. If they had to pay this back they’d probably be working for quite some time.”
This kind of vandalism is different than other types, according to police.
“It’s getting to the point where that neighborhood is being targeted by somebody up there,” Officer Meghan Cash said.
“That’s why we want to try to determine who’s out there. It’s happening usually in the evening hours into the early morning hours.”
Slashed tires aren’t the only kind of vandalism that’s been going on. St. John United Church of Christ on W. Marquette St. had two windows smashed in over the last few weeks.
Allison Ruppel lives in the neighborhood. The vandalism is making her more aware of her surroundings.
“We’re out all the time, especially in the summer weather,” Ruppel said.
“So it’s definitely making me more alert of things that are going on. We have two cars parked out every night. So that’s very worrisome for sure.”
Police are patrolling the area, but they need your help.
“Somebody has had to have seen somebody out doing these things. It’s just a matter of reporting it,” Officer Cash said.
“So be extra vigilant about when you see people that maybe you don’t believe live in your neighborhood or should be in your neighborhood, report that.”
If you have a tip on the vandalism, police would like to hear from you. You can also use the “Neighbors by Ring” app to post a tip through your phone.
