Cleanup almost complete after vandals deface Juno Beach Fishing Pier

JUNO BEACH, FL – (April 7, 2016)  – Caught on camera, the image of a young man spray painting graffiti on the Juno Beach Fishing Pier is being circulated on social media in the hope of apprehending the culprit.
“We’re hoping someone will see the video and make an identification,” said Kathryn Rumbley, marketing and communications coordinator for the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Juno Beach-based organization that has managed the 1,000-foot-long pier since 2014.

Photos taken by LMC officials of the vandalism show letters and figures in red spray paint on the deck and below the pier. LMC officials have removed most of the damage, said Rumbley.

The word “love,” a peace sign and other markings were painted with red spray paint on the wooden deck of the pier near the baitshop. “Never Give Up” and other markings were painted on the pilings underneath the deck.

LMC officials installed cameras at the pier about two months ago, Rumbley said.

The image of a young man using red spray paint to deface the pier was filmed about 2 a.m. Tuesday, according to Juno Beach Police Chief Brian Smith. The black-and-white film shows a man with a T-shirt partially covering his face, said Smith.

“So far, we do not have any suspects. Our officers will be giving the pier special attention,” said Smith.

Tommy Bahama in Harbourside Place donated $500 to LMC when officials heard about the damage, said Tommy Bahamas Restaurant Manager Kelly Mason.

“We take our beaches very seriously. We support all the great things being done by the (LMC),” said Mason.

LMC, located on U.S. 1 just north of Donald Ross Road, is a nonprofit education and ocean conservation center on A1A with a veterinary hospital, exhibit hall, outdoor classroom, research lab and resource center.

Veterinarians at the center use state-of-the-art equipment to bring sea turtles back to health that are sick or snagged by fishing hooks and lines. About 300,000 people visit the center a year, according to county records.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Juno Beach Police Department at (561) 626-2100.