LEWISTON — Damage found in Simard-Payne Memorial Park over the weekend has social media in an uproar.
Police are investigating the broken lights, believed to be the work of vandals. Some of the lights are still intact.
Marcus T. Talarico of Lewiston said he was walking through the park over the weekend when he came across the smashed lights. He reported his findings on Facebook, where more than a dozen people weighed in.
“That is just disheartening to see,” a local woman wrote.
“No respect for the park and who it stands for,” offered a Lewiston man.
Formerly Railroad Park, the area was named in honor of two Lewiston policemen slain in the line of duty.
Officer Paul J. Simard was shot and killed on July 7, 1958, when he was sent to a report of a domestic disturbance where shots were being fired. When the officer arrived, he confronted a 14-year-old girl, who shot and killed him.
Officer David R. Payne was shot and killed on July 23, 1988, while checking on a car that had gone off the roadway. He was shot and killed by a man who had been recently freed from prison and was carrying a .44 Magnum revolver.
The broken lights are expected to be replaced.
Police were asking that anyone with information about the park vandalism contact them at 207-513-3001.
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