Fifty-two parking kiosks destroyed at Balboa Park

Cops Want Your Tips: $1,000 Reward Offered in Balboa Park Meter Vandalism Spree

The Balboa Park parking saga just leveled up. San Diego police and Crime Stoppers are now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever has been systematically destroying parking pay stations across the park and surrounding neighborhoods.

Between December 24 and February 6, a total of 52 newly installed kiosks were taken out of commission in what police are calling felony vandalism. The tactics ranged from creative to downright diabolical — spray paint over screens, shattered digital displays, stickers slapped over readouts, sticky substances jammed into keypads, and contractor-grade foam crammed into card slots. Estimated damage sits around $77,500.

The hit zones span a wide swath of the park and Bankers Hill, covering Sixth Avenue, Park Boulevard, Balboa Drive, Village Place, Juniper Street, and Eighth Avenue.

Police Lieutenant Jose Chavez acknowledged that people have strong political opinions about the parking fees but made it clear that vandalism crosses the line. Investigators say they have collected physical evidence, including DNA swabs from the tampered machines.

The irony is thick. A parking program that was supposed to generate $15 million for the city — now projected at under $3 million — is costing even more to maintain thanks to the ongoing destruction. Meanwhile, Mayor Gloria recently rolled back fees in seven lots for city residents, a move critics call too little, too late.

Whether anyone actually picks up the phone to claim that $1,000 remains an open question. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or online at sdcrimestoppers.org. The court of public opinion, however, is already in session.

Sources: FOX 5 San Diego | KPBS | Times of San Diego | CBS 8 / Hoodline | SanDiegoVille