Buying paint, kids? Bring your ID

A hardware store is doing its part to help curb spray paint vandals in Two Harbors.

Starting last week, True Value Hardware in downtown Two Harbors enacted a policy that anyone under the age of 18 show an identification card when purchasing spray paint.

The color of paint is written down, along with the person’s age and the date the spray paint was purchased. Those without driver’s licenses will

need to show student ID cards.

A recent case of spray paint graffiti at the Two Harbors skate park is what spurred the policy, after police notified the hardware store that spray paint used in the vandalism crime may have been purchased at the downtown store.

The ID requirement is a voluntary effort by the store but several cities across the United States, including Minneapolis, have passed ordinances

requiring a show of ID to buy paint.

The store is hoping the policy will deter people from buying spray paint to commit vandalism, because their name and paint color will be kept on record.

Two Harbors Police Chief Kevin Ruberg says records of spray paint purchases could even help solve vandalism cases. “Certainly if they’re collecting information on (spray paint purchases), that is a great tool for

us to help investigate these cases,” he said.

The Police Department is also looking into purchasing surveillance equipment to put in the city parks to help deter vandalism crimes. Over the

past few months, several cases of vandalism have been reported, including a case where toilet paper and paper towels were thrown around the bathrooms

at Lakeview Park.

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