Authorities Aware of Vandalism, Threats Regarding "Purge"

Reports of vandalism in Effingham overnight Sunday or early Monday have followed reports on Facebook of "The Purge" based upon a movie of the same name, where an annual period of lawlessness leads to choas.

A Facebook post we received Saturday night indicated a number of communities that would be involved in a purge where lawlessness occurs for a period of time. Effingham is one of the communities listed in the post, as seen below.

We checked with city police Sunday morning and they indicated they had been in touch with a terrorism task force about the matter. Task Force members believe the matter is a hoax.

There were a number of incidents of vandalism Sunday night or early Monday morning. City police chief Mike Schutzbach said authorities believe individuals being encouraged by the Facebook posts are responsible for the vandalism, which the Chief said are being treated as acts of criminal damage to property. Schutzbach said the incidents have involved spray painting of road signs as well as two houses and a church building. Most of the spray painting say "anarchy" or "anarchy 8-19-14".

The Chief asks that anyone with information as to the incidents and who may be responsible should contact city police at 347-0771 or Crimestoppers at 34-SOLVE.