ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Caught on camera, what looks like a dare among a group of boys, has now left serious damage to a fountain in the heart of Old Town Albuquerque. Video shows someone breaking that fountain in half before running off.
Story continues below
This vandalism comes as Old Town business owners have felt an increase in crime over the last few years. Several businesses told KRQE News 13 that the latest chapter is sad and disappointing.
“I wanted to cry, I still do. It’s hard for me to think that there are such people out there,” said Tamila Walden, co-owner of Something Different.
In what’s known as the Heart of Old Town, some business owners are broken-hearted, seeing another crime in the area. The water fountain near Romero Street in Old Town was toppled around 1:30 Sunday morning after a man tried climbing on it, before falling off, then running away.
“There was no call for it, absolutely no call for it. This is historical, this place is historical for us, for everyone that lives in New Mexico,” said Walden.
Security video shows seven young men walking around the plaza before one of them climbs the fountain. KRQE News 13 is blurring their faces because no one has been charged with a crime yet. Pete Kassetas is the owner of the property and the business ‘Outpost 1706’. He said this is the second time the fountain has been vandalized in nearly two years. “I get it, kids will be kids, but this is dangerous, and surely they took off,” said Kassetas.
Although he believes this wasn’t intentional, Kassetas said it’s still upsetting. While he’s filed a police report, he’s skeptical the young adults will face consequences if they’re ever found or face justice in the courts. “But I definitely want to send the message that they’re not welcome, don’t come back here. The security will be keeping a lookout for them,” said Kassetas.
Kassetas said that the fountain costs nearly $5,000. However, he said, because this has happened before, he will not be replacing the fountain again. Albuquerque police said it has assigned two new bike cops to the Old Town area. They say they have a continued operational plan focused in Old Town to curb crime.