Reports of nail vandalism resurface

The Grafton Police Department has received about a dozen reports within the last week from people discovering nails in their tires or nails being found in village streets.

Since May, the department has been inundated with reports of similar incidents.

“It comes in spurts. We’re still under the belief that this is an intentional act because there are a variety of nails and there are no boxes laying around,” Acting Grafton Police Chief Emmett Grissom said.

“Lately, we’ve been seeing screws. The frequency is too great for this to be accidental.”

Grissom said about five police vehicles have received damage to tires from nails.

Lately, nails have been discovered on 11th Avenue near Bridge Street, the eastern portion of the village and downtown area.

Grissom said several officers are working on the case. 

Port Washington and Mequon police departments have also received similar reports. Grissom said he working with both departments. 

“We’ve been coordinating the information we have so far with the other agencies, but it is very limited at this point,” he said.

Grissom said officers are frequently patrolling the roads where nails have been found. 

The Grafton Public Works Department has been cleaning the affected areas with a high-powered magnet during the day, and officers have been clearing the streets at night.

In May, about 18 people reported damage to their tires, primarily from roofing nails. At the time, most of the occurrences were taking place in the area of Wichita Lane between Blackhawk Drive and 17th Avenue and also along Wisconsin Avenue and Washington Street.

“We’re doing the best we can to figure this out because it is a major inconvenience for people and for us,” Grissom said. “We’re using all the resources we have available.”