SPOKANE, Wash. — Teenagers damaged Halloween decorations at a North Spokane home Wednesday night, and a South Hill homeowner says his display was vandalized for the second time this month.
Residents say security camera footage captured the incidents, and Spokane police are investigating three vandalism reports received in the past week.
Daniella Custer and her children watched through their window as four people ran through her yard. Custer said the group used knives to stab her inflatables, and seven of the 10 decorations were destroyed Wednesday night outside her home in North Spokane.
“Now my kids won’t leave my side,” Custer said. “They won’t go to their rooms, they won’t sleep in their rooms. They have to sleep with me and dad so it’s been kind of distressing to see my kids in such a horrible state.”
Custer said she is nervous about the future. “I’m nervous because you know a lot of hard work gets put in to paying for these and it just feels like all of our hard work went to waste,” she said. She no longer feels safe putting decorations out.
Custer said her children picked out those inflatables themselves. She knows of multiple neighbors who suffered the same damage that night. She estimates the total loss at more than $800 and does not know whether she will decorate for Christmas this year.
“They’ve destroyed a bunch of children’s holiday spirit with this and honestly I don’t want money, I want them to come work for the damages,” Custer said.
On the South Hill, a house known for its over-the-top Halloween decor was vandalized for the second time this month. The footage was captured last night, and homeowner James Meeker said he did not go to work today because of it.
“They just came running up and just trying to tip over as much and cause as much damage as they could. Running off you know seconds later,” Meeker said.
“You guys are crushing people’s spirit,” Meeker said. “I mean Halloween has always in my eyes been a very community oriented holiday.” Meeker said his yard is meant to make kids smile, and he has no idea why he is being targeted.
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking for them,” Meeker said.
Custer plans to take her decorations inside. Meeker’s set-up will stay up for tomorrow, but he says he will be watching his cameras all night.
Spokane police say they are investigating the three vandalism reports received in the past week.
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