By Kathleen Bailey

The Epsom Police Department is responding to several recent incidents of vandalism, though Police Chief Wayne Preve warns that the nature of the crime makes it difficult to pin down a perpetrator.

While the vandalism is not widespread, Preve said he’s received several complaints. Selectmen Chairman Bob Blodgett reported a drive-by BB gun shooting, the second this year. In addition, Preve said, two or three mailboxes have been damaged, the side of the American Legion Hall spray-painted and several town signs defaced.

The problem isn’t just Epsom’s, Preve said. He’s spoken

to chiefs in surrounding towns who said many of the incidents were similar.

“We think it’s people of high school age,” he said, “and we think it’s a group of them.”

But small departments and the hit-and-run nature of vandalism slows the process.

“If we only have one or two guys on at night, it’s hard to catch them in the act,” Preve said of the vandals. “We’ve come close, but they’re never exactly where we are.”

But based on some of the graffiti, he and neighboring chiefs have begun to piece together an identity for the vandals. He puts on extra patrols when he can, and has told his officers to be especially vigilant.

Blodgett said he’s been targeted by vandals twice this year. His wife Anne was washing windows on a recent Saturday when the vandals drove by and fired several shots at one of the windows. Last Nov. 23, the Blodgetts received a BB attack to a kitchen window. That was a little too close for comfort, he said.

“If I’d been sitting there, I would have gotten it in the shoulder,” he said.

While Preve said Blodgett’s was the only BB gun complaint, Blodgett doesn’t think he’s being singled out, either for his role with the town or other reasons. He thinks it’s random, “probably bored kids.”

In his 30 years in Epsom, Blodgett has been the target of vandalism several other times. At least three mailboxes were damaged, someone sprayed the side of his house and someone “egged” his wife’s car.

Preve also advises neighbors to look out for each other, “though people in Epsom do that anyway,” he said. It’s difficult because some houses are far back from the road, he said. But anyone who sees an unfamiliar vehicle, or notices a car filled with cans of spray paint, should get the plate number and call the department, he said.

For more information, or to report an incidence of vandalism, call the department at 736-9625.