October 30, 2025
San Diego police are investigating the overnight vandalism of a Clairemont park that was renamed just days ago to honor fallen Officer Austin Machitar, with damage estimated at $100,000.
The memorial park was dedicated this past Sunday with the unveiling of a new sign bearing Machitar's name and badge number, surrounded by more than 20 planted flowers. By Thursday morning, the sign had been destroyed—the badge number chipped away and covered with graffiti—and all the flowers had been ripped up and removed. The person or people responsible also vandalized other areas of the park.
The San Diego Police Officers Association, which paid for the $12,000 sign, says the vandalism was deliberate and extensive. "It's very detailed. Every single flower that was planted, which is over 20, was ripped up and removed. Every single little piece of stone was ripped up and removed. They took time and effort to do this," said Jared Wilson, SDPOA president.
Found on Mainstream Media