Julie Humphreys, Communications Manager, Public Safety, 509.622.5868
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 5:42 p.m.
When the general manager of three locally owned SERVPRO businesses saw the vandalism done to the Lincoln Statue in downtown Spokane on Thanksgiving, he was angry. Then Jess Hockett turned his frustration into action and together with the business owners offered to clean up the red paint mess at no charge. Hockett contacted City leaders and went to work the day after Thanksgiving.
“We love the community and love being part of the community. This just felt like the right thing to do” Hockett said.
SERVPRO provides vandalism clean-up, among other services, and said each job has its unique challenges. The challenge in this case was finding the right product to remove the paint, without damaging the statue. Once determined, it took employees about 40 man hours to get the job done.
Hockett says anyone who grew up in Spokane knows the statue as it’s a part of our community.
“Regardless of one’s political views the statue belongs to all of us as community member. How would these vandals feel if we went and vandalized their house or their cars?”
Thank you SERVPRO of South and West Spokane County, SERVPRO of Northwest Spokane, and SERVPRO of the Spokane Valley for caring about our community and for turning this disheartening act of vandalism around for everyone.
Spokane Police continue to investigate this crime. If you know anything about it, please contact Crime Check 509.456.2233.
