WWI Doughboy Statue Vandalized with Spray Paint
The iconic World War One Doughboy statue, ‘Over the Top’ was recently vandalized by someone with a can of blue spray paint.
County Commission Chair Josh Slotnick provided details of the incident.
“It was ‘graffitied’ the other day around the base of the statue,” said Slotnick. “I can’t say I understand what this is about. If that graffiti had anything to do with anyone’s political beliefs or if people were out and about protesting the events that happened in Minneapolis, I don’t know how this connects at all with anything. I only know that our beautiful 100 year-old statue got desecrated.”
Slotnick said it is fortunate that the county sanitation crews had the products on hand to remove the graffiti.
“Thankfully, we have the means, not just the money, but the gear to get that cleaned off,” he said. “Our facilities people have the gear to clean it off and it should be back to normal in short order.”
Slotnick asked for the public’s help in identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing the statue.
“If you see someone desecrating property or about to harm another person, call 9-1-1,” he said. “We have a super well-trained police force and sheriff’s department and these guys are professionals. Don’t take the law into your own hands because it will most likely end up badly. Seriously, you’re a block away from the police station and the sheriff’s office is just a few yards away. Thankfully, this was cleaned up quickly,”
Anyone with information about the Doughboy statue vandalism is asked to call 9-1-1.
(photo courtesy of NBC Montana)