Sumter Little Theatre hit with graffiti

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

Vandals struck the Sumter Little Theatre at Patriot Hall some time Monday night or early Tuesday morning, leaving behind unintelligible spray painted scrawlings that police said caused about $500 in damage.

A report shows that between 5 p.m. Monday and 7:55 a.m. Tuesday, the entrance area of SLT, located at 135 Haynsworth St., as well as a brick wall, a gate and a sign were damaged by red and orange spray paint. “SOUR 803,” a profane word, “blood,” and unknown symbols were among the other graffiti, the report said.

A strap was found on the ground near the scene and placed into evidence, though the report did not specify what type of strap it was.

On Wednesday, Sumter County Cultural Commission Executive Director Booth Chilcutt said it took a day and a half to clean it up, with some more cleaning needed.

“It was probably kids,” he said, while surveying the remaining damaged areas, who don’t realize the ramifications of their vandalism.

The white steel doors to the theater were defaced with red paint, and Chilcutt could only guess as to the intent of the vandals.

“I think it said, ‘love,’” he said, only half joking. “Maybe it was a kinder, gentler graffiti artist.”

A yellow panel near the entrance was damaged, with red paint still smeared across it on Wednesday, which will have to be re-painted. The theater’s sign will have to re-painted or replaced, as a red word impossible to read was hastily added. Chilcutt said he was unsure as to the cost of cleaning up the vandalism, but characterizes himself as a proponent of the broken window philosophy, which holds that a damaged building will most likely get damaged further if it’s not repaired or restored in a short amount of time.

“We’ll try to re-claim it as quickly as possible,” he said.

Ultimately, he said the vandalism emphasizes the need for the Historic District Neighborhood Watch program — which was recently re-established — and underscores how important it is for folks to keep an eye on who is in the area during later hours.

The next Neighborhood Watch meeting for residents of Sumter’s oldest neighborhood is slated for 6 p.m. on July 21 at the Sumter County Library.

Contact Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.