The City of Sweet Home announced on Monday, Sept. 15, that Weddle Bridge is now closed to public access due to “ongoing and escalating issues with vandalism.”
Deputy City Manager Cecily Pretty told The New Ear that the vandalism the city has been dealing with includes trash, painting/tagging, carving into the wood, evidence of fires under the bridge, illegal dumping, removal of wood planks, defacing of signage, and damage to a camera.
“We experience issues at least weekly right now, and there does seem to be a correlation between increases in incidents and school being in session,” she said.
The bridge will be closed “until further notice.” Pretty said the city needs to assess what other measures they might be able to take to improve security of the bridge (such as increased foot patrols and more cameras), as well as determine if the city has the budget and staffing to support it.
“We will likely open the bridge up for large community events, such as Harvest Festival, but we expect it will otherwise remain closed for the foreseeable future,” she said.
The city asks that everyone respect the gates now blocking off the bridge, and not climb on the bridge. Accessing the bridge while the gates are closed is considered trespassing.
If anyone sees someone damaging the bridge or park, report it at 541-367-5181.