NEWARK – Twice in the last year — and three times since January 2013 — hundreds of Newark residents have been the victim of vandalism sprees.
These acts have left some scraping together money to pay for repairs and others questioning if they will ever be reimbursed.
You are viewing: What Happens When You File A Police Report For Vandalism
Charges are expected to be filed in the coming days against the suspects in the latest vandalism spree: Steven Burns, 18, Austin Yantis, 16, and John Wood, 17, all are in custody on unrelated charges.
Police have received more than 100 reports of vandalism related to their alleged weekend spree and the number continues to climb, Sgt. Paul Davis said Tuesday.
The Advocate talked with local officials about what to do if you have been the victim of vandalism.
First steps
• Call the police . Davis said it is important for police to have vandalism documented. Patrols throughout the city can be geared to a specific area if there are numerous vandalism reports.
“If you can call, we can maybe stop it or catch the people doing it,” he said.
Police who respond to take the report will either take photos or ask for photos of the damage to be given to them if you already have them. This allows authorities to document how much damage occurred. Davis said estimates and receipts from having the damage repaired should be kept and provided to police in case restitution or reimbursement is an option.
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“Even if they don’t think it can be solved, you’re never sure what we will come across,” Davis said. “It’s always better to report it. It doesn’t cost anything to report.”
Police also can provide a copy of the report at little or no cost at the police station or through a submission form on the department’s website.
• Get an estimate . Talk with a repair shop or insurance agent to get an estimate for having the damage repaired. Local State Farm Insurance Agent Bill Stevenson said agents likely will be able to let you know if the damage is covered by your policy and what your deductible will be.
Filing an insurance claim is a fairly easy process, Stevenson said. The impact of a claim on insurance costs will vary from agency to agency and from policy to policy. You should talk with your agent about your specific policy.
Vandalism is typically covered under homeowner policies and in comprehensive auto insurance policies, Stevenson said.
What to do next
• Be notified . Victims can sign up for the Victim Information Notification Everday Network (VINE) to receive notices about the custody status of suspects in the case and upcoming hearings. Victim Advocate Mark Weiner said victims are welcome to attend hearings and stay up to date on the case. VINE sign up can be completed at 800-770-0192.
• Fill out victim impact statement . If you have reported yourself as a victim of vandalism, you likely will receive a victim impact statement form from a court office. This statement will be considered by the court in determining sentences.
“It’s very important to complete that statement and attach any estimates and paperwork to that statement so it can be considered before the court,” Weiner said.
Will I get my money back?
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• Restitution. Receiving restitution can be tricky in vandalism cases: A crime victim compensation fund run by the Ohio Attorney General’s office does not cover property damage, Weiner said.
Victims can also seek compensation through civil lawsuits.
Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Brian Waltz said judges usually will order restitution be paid in cases, but getting the money paid out is complicated.
“They can’t just make a guy come up with money,” he said.
With juvenile defendants, courts are even more limited with restitution orders.
“It’s not unusual that a person will not be made whole, especially in a case where there’s a lot owed,” he said.
Victims in last spring’s vandalism spree have yet to see any money from their restitution order.
Twenty-year-old Kyle May was the only adult suspect charged in an April 2014 vandalism spree that damaged more than 100 vehicles. Judge Thomas Marcelain ordered him to serve community control and to pay almost $16,000 in restitution to the victims.
Marcelain said at the time, that by allowing May to be on probation, he would have a chance to get a job and earn money to pay the victims.
May was charged with new offenses and accused of violating the terms of his probation. Marcelain ordered May to serve two years in prison in January.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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