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The initial call to Asbury Park Police Department regarding the Thursday afternoon vandalism of a vehicle was reported as a large fight involving juveniles, Asbury Park Police spokesman Michael Casey said.

“Upon police arrival, no fight was observed and juveniles were dispersing from the area,” Casey said.

What followed was the report from a resident that her vehicle was damaged.

“The resident advised police that they observed several juveniles standing on the hood and roof of their vehicle while filming the fight,” Casey said.

What resulted were an array of damages estimated at a cost of $1,000, ranging from multiple dents and scratches to a cracked windshield.

“The resident and witnesses were unable to identify any of the juveniles involved,” Casey said.

Such incidents, the slashing of car tires, dents, scratches and windshield smashing, are categorized as acts of vandalism, Casey said.

The disruption sparked a host of comments on social media including the need for increased patrols near and around the schools during dismissal times.

“When officers are not on calls for service and available, they respond and make themselves visible around the areas of the high school and middle school during dismissal,” Casey said. “This response has been in place for the last few years and is attempt to increase safety and encourage students to dismiss in an orderly fashion.”

Casey said the police department works closely with school district and the officers assigned to schools.

Although residents have voiced concerns about vandalism being on the rise throughout the city, police data shows there is no significant increase, Casey said.

The Thursday afternoon incident was followed by reports of four vehicles with slashed tires and a subsequent fight on the following day.

That fight led to an arrest, Casey said. The details of the arrest were not available at time of press. The arrest does not fall under the vandalism classification and is not connected to the vandalism reports at this time.

“The first vandalism report was made on the same night [as the initial report of teens fighting] at 10 15 p.m.,” Casey said.

Three vehicles along the 1300 block of Langford Street reported their tires were slashed. The following morning a resident from the 900 block of Sunset Avenue went to police headquarters to report their tire was slashed. The incidents were unwitnessed but the police department conducted a canvas of the area.

“We were unable to locate anyone, there were no witnesses or camera footage,” Casey said. “Officers on the street are briefed daily in regard to this activity and are advised to be vigilant and visible in their assigned areas.”

Casey said the incident remains under investigation and that no vandalism arrests have been made as of the date of this report.

“All three of those reports – the fight, the tire slashing incidents are unrelated,” Casey said. “The tire slashing incidents happened over the same time period. They are similar incidents but we can’t say definitively if they are related.”

Casey said the public is being asked to be vigilant and to report all incidents.

“Even if they feel it’s insignificant, call us anyway – let us rule it out,” Casey said.

Residents can report suspicious activity to the police department at (732)774-1300.

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