COUNTRY Lights Festival Damage Believed To Be Vandalism

(KNSI) – Sartell Police Chief Brandon Silgjord confirmed to KNSI News on Friday afternoon that the damage to the COUNTRY Lights Festival display is believed to be vandalism.

He says how the strands were cut and having so many destroyed has led investigators to suspect foul play rather than animals or other potential explanations.

Silgjord says surveillance cameras have not been any help. “We do have some cameras at the community center, but nothing that we found so far that covers the area where this all took place.”

The displays were on the eastern end of the small lake where the festival is set up. Silgjord is asking for the public’s help if they have any information that may lead to an arrest. He says the intent of vandalism is to destroy property, rather than for financial gain. That can be a tougher case to crack.

Silgjord stressed that these kinds of incidents are frustrating, including for law enforcement veterans. “Even as law enforcement officers, it just kind of bothers you because it’s something that was really nice for our citizens to gather at and spread some holiday cheer, and kids love the lights. It begs the question of why? What motive would someone have to really want to damage property like this that is such a positive thing for our community?”

Organizers and volunteers discovered the damage to several of the electric Christmas trees on Thursday, during what was supposed to be the final push to complete set up before an opening on Friday, November 24th. Silgjord says residents he has talked to are upset, too, and he thinks the community will rally to still pull off this year’s event.

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