Information sought in Wallace vandalism case

WALLACE – The Wallace Visitor’s Center was ground zero for some untimely vandalism this past weekend when their flag was ripped down and destroyed and the men’s public restroom was broken into and vandalized.

The center serves as the Wallace Chamber of Commerce headquarters as well and chamber coordinator Dave Copelan was quite disturbed by the vandalism done to the facility, as well as the timing of it all.

“We are a community that wants to welcome people into it,” Copelan said. “This was disgusting and the community is definitely taking this personally. What kind of person rips down a flag over Memorial Day Weekend?”

The Wallace Chamber is taking the vandalism very seriously and has offered a $1,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible party, but the destruction has also led to them taking action in varying security upgrades as well.

“We filed a report with the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office,” Copelan said. “To deter future damage, the chamber also is upgrading its video surveillance system, as well as working with the Sheriff's office for increased patrols of the Visitor Center.”

Copelan highlighted was makes Wallace’s Visitor’s Center so unique and important for the community.

“The Wallace Visitor Center and adjacent Mine Heritage Exhibition four acre park is maintained and operated solely through local efforts. There are no state or federal monies used to maintain the facility,” Copelan said. “It is perhaps the most accessible such visitor center on the entire 3,000 plus Interstate 90 thoroughfare. As such it is among Wallace's, the Silver Valley's, the State of Idaho's and Inland Northwest's most valuable assets to encourage travelers to stop and visit our area. Thus keeping the facility staffed and maintained is a high priority for the Chamber.”

An information on the vandalism can call the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 556-1114.