Downers Grove Washington Park Fountain Soaping Vandals Identified

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The fountain in Washington Park that had been drained after culprits “soaped” the foundation, causing more than $1,000 in damage, will be refilled next week after police said that the vandals have been identified.

The Downers Grove Park District said on Thursday that the individuals responsible for adding soap into the fountain recently were identified by police. Park District officials said that the department is seeking restitution from the culprits who have not been identified.

The Park District was offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the individuals responsible. Park District officials said that the department provided camera footage from the site to police, who then identified the individuals involved, a spokeswoman told Patch on Friday.

A spokesman for the Downers Grove Police Department told Patch that on Wednesday night, park cameras captured photos of two juveniles pouring soap in the fountain. Police investigators used these photos to identify the two juvenile subjects who were pouring soap into the fountain, the spokesman said.

The case has been assigned to a juvenile detective for follow-up, police said on Friday.

Officials said "soaping" is considered vandalism and requires treatment that runs in upwards of $1,000 to clean up every time it happens, the post said. In addition to the costs to clean the fountain, staff members' time is needed to devote hours to the clean-up effort.