Police are investigating after vandals apparently urinated on firefighting gear and left taunting messages at the former Northfield Center/Sagamore Hills Fire District substation over the weekend.
The incident is thought to be an act of retaliation. Some of the messages mentioned Macedonia Fire Chief Tim Black and his employees by name.
Last week, Macedonia Fire Department took over fire and paramedic services for Northfield Center Township, which formerly had a merged fire district with Sagamore Hills Township. Macedonia hired some of the 25 displaced staff with an agreement to consider others as positions opened up.
When a firefighter went to the premises Monday, though, he discovered the damage when he grabbed a turnout coat and felt moisture.
“He touched the urine,” Black said. “At least we think it’s urine.”
Vandals coated beds, carpets and 14 suits of turnout gear. It’s estimated that the vandals caused thousands of dollars in damage. Other items are thought to be missing from the premises.
“It’s truly a crime scene,” Black said. “It can’t be washed or cleaned from the gear.”
Investigators have closed off the station, 60 W. Aurora Road in Northfield Center, and are collecting evidence. Black said he hoped they’d be able to identify a suspect through urine samples.
Sagamore and Northfield townships announced in March they would end their joint fire agreement because it was too much of a burden. The department was staffed by part-time volunteer firefighters.
A levy was put to the vote last month to fund a Northfield Center fire department, but voters overwhelmingly denied the levy with an 83 percent no vote.
As a result, both Sagamore and Northfield contracted with Macedonia. The smaller Northfield agreed to pay Macedonia $375,000 a year for services, while Sagamore Hills will pay $750,000.
Northfield Trustee Paul Buescher predicted last week that there “will be some tears” when the baton was passed — but on Tuesday said he never expected this.
“This is disgusting,” he said.
Buescher said the changeover happened Thursday at noon and the station was staffed Friday and all weekend. He’s unsure when a vandal could have caused the damage.
He assured residents that Macedonia’s main station and the one in Sagamore Hills would cover services in Northfield until the space can be reopened.
He also said the township intends to pursue legal action if a suspect is caught.
“If and when they find out who it was,” Buescher said, “they’ll be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law — both criminal and civilly.”
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ngfalcon.