Vandals strike new federal courthouse sign

The new federal courthouse in Cape Girardeau is supposed to be a place where criminals get what they deserve. But before the building has even opened, criminals have already been there -- to vandalize the cornerpiece at Independence and Frederick streets.

Vandals have stolen six letters off the six-foot brick and concrete architectural accent. Officials of the General Services Administration, which is overseeing the project, don't know exactly when the thefts occurred but they've already decided on measures to prevent a repeat.

"We will replace the letters and epoxy them in place so they don't come out as easily," said Charlie Cook, spokesman for the GSA Region 6 office in Kansas City, Mo.

The Federal Protective Service, a security contractor for the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for investigating any criminal acts on courthouse property outside the building, Cook said.

A message left with the local office was not immediately returned. Cape Girardeau police spokesman Jason Selzer said he could find no record that the department was notified of the vandalism.

Four letters were taken off the Independence Street side of the cornerpiece, leaving it reading "Unite State C u thouse." On the Frederick Street face, the "D" from United and the last "S" from States was removed.

Each letter is held in place by posts glued into holes drilled into the concrete. Cook said he's unsure how much it will cost to replace the letters, but he's confident the next batch won't be an easy target.

"The new letters we are going to replace all of them with will take a special tool to get them off," he said.

-- Rudi Keller