Vandals feasting on school holidays

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque Public Schools police officers are hoping to reverse a trend of increased vandalism at schools during holiday breaks.

"When our facilities aren't occupied, we seem to get more vandalism," APS Police Chief Bill Reed told KRQE News 13.

APS officers are especially concerned about Thanksgiving break this year since acts of vandalism at schools are already up this school year.

"The number of incidents are up; dollar value is down," APS Director of Maintenance John Dufay said. "But, we haven't even got into the season yet."

Since July 1 APS has spent almost $140,000 undoing the work of vandals. APS maintenance crews average about six repair jobs a day.

"We are gearing up and getting ready for some vandalism, and we are randomly monitoring the schools on our video system," Reed said.

APS police are also calling on help from neighbors and school kids to help protect the schools. They are urging people to call in when they see vandals in action.