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- Appeals process ordinance was adopted by Nephi City
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Mona City will pay a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators who, two times in August, vandalized the city restrooms at city park.
On August 16 and August 24, the restrooms were vandalized, lights and switches damaged, bathroom facilities filled with debris, graffiti painted on the walls and other physical damage done to the facility.
Youth have also been seen climbing on the roof of the concession stand and doing damage to the roofing.
"We are going to lock the restrooms at night and only open them in the daytime," said Jonathan Jones, mayor pro tempore in Mayor Greg Newton's absence. "That is sad, because it is the only public bathroom that we have."
Churches do have public restrooms and there is a restroom in city hall but this is the only restroom facility in the community that has been open to the public on a daily basis.
Mayor Newton had sent an email to the council since he knew that he was going to have to work the night of council meeting and suggested that a reward be offered.
He had suggested a reward of several hundred dollars but the council wanted to further discuss the amount before settling on what should be offered.
One resident said that he feared too high a reward might lead a youth to fabricate a vandal rather than really knowing for certain who it was.
"This happens several times a year," said Michelle Dalton, city secretary.
The Juab County Sheriffs Office, who serves as law enforcement under contract with Mona, has been notified and an investigation is now taking place. "On the 24th," said Dalton, "bathrooms were opened for a reunion on Saturday and were left open after it was over, and the vandalism is what happened."
It was sad that the city could not even leave the bathrooms unlocked for a short period of time without people committing acts of destruction.
"We have trouble with this every year," she said. "It's sad people don't have more respect then they do."
In the past those who have been caught have been punished by the law but it has not prevented the problem from continuing.
The council asked the public, that if anyone noticed anything that looked suspicious that they please call the authorities.
Jeff Smith, council member, said he had talked to the mayor that day and he agreed that a reward might be the best way to go because, if were high enough, some young person would likely inform authorities about who was doing the vandalism.
"The mayor suggested a reward," said Jones. "I think it would be good to offer a reward."
Council members did not agree on the amount, still keeping it high enough to bring results, but not so high that it would encourage false information.
They were clear in agreeing that a reward should be offered for the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.
The question was asked if juveniles could be arrested by law enforcement officers.
The council learned that juveniles may, indeed, be arrested by a law enforcement official. A decision is made, following the arrest, as to whether the youth should be detained and charged, transferred into another youth program, sent to a juvenile detention facility, or released into the juvenile's parents' care.
A youth, awaiting trial, may be held in a secure detention facility.
The arresting officer decides if there is enough information to try the youth and a juvenile judge determines if the juvenile should be detained before and through the course of the trial. A detention hearing is usually held within 24 hours of the arrest.
"We will put the offer of a reward in the town newsletter," said Jones.
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