Old Joe vandalized

GAINESVILLE - Two acts of vandalism in downtown Gainesville have been turned over to the Gainesville-Hall County Gang Task Force.

They both involve graffiti on the base of the Confederate statue - Old Joe - and a nearby traffic light control box.

Angela Thompson is Main Street Manager for the city and says such acts are not a big problem downtown. "I would say its unusual compared to what other downtowns experience."

Thompson says the Gainesville Public Works Department was asked to remove the graffiti which consisted of hearts and "peace" symbols.

Thompson says she spotted the vandalism to the traffic light control box Monday but was not aware of the graffiti on Old Joe until contacted about it by an AccessNorthGa.com reporter Tuesday morning.