Press Release: 125 downtown parking meters vandalized, causing $5,000 worth of damage

In a press release issued around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, Bloomington’s police department provided some details on the vandalism to parking meters in the downtown area, which was discovered in the morning and widely documented on social media outlets.

The vandals spray-painted parking meter heads green and pink and injected meter slots  with expanding foam.

The press release puts the number of meters that were vandalized at 125—the area of damaged meters included more than just some around the courthouse square.

Damage is estimated at $5,000. It’s still possible to park at spots with damaged meter using the ParkMobile phone app, according to the BPD release. [Update: After the initial press release was sent out, a followup was sent, clarifying that people who park at damaged meters will not be ticketed if they do not use the ParkMobile phone app.]

According to the release, replacement parts are being overnighted to Bloomington, so that repairs can be made as soon as possible.

The release says that investigators are now reviewing footage from video cameras at downtown businesses to try to identify the vandals.

The release says that any with information about the parking meter vandalism should contact Detective Jon Muscato at (812) 349-3326.