Vandalism in Akureyri could cause millions in damage

Workers at a construction site in Akureyri arrived to find three company vehicles covered in graffiti. Two tracked machines and a truck belonging to G. Hjálmarsson were targeted in Móahverfi, a new district under development in the northern part of the city.

The graffiti included words such as “loser” and “envy”, along with a dollar sign. Company co-owner Hjálmar Guðmundsson said the vandalism had left him speechless and had caught the business completely off guard.

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I am practically speechless. I do not understand what is happening here.

The full cost has not yet been determined. Guðmundsson said it could reach millions if the paint cannot be removed and the machines need repainting and new stickers and markings. Some attempts to erase the graffiti have already failed. The company has insurance covering vandalism.

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This can run into millions if all the equipment has to be repainted and new stickers and markings put on it.

Police went to the site immediately and are investigating. Cameras operate at several locations around the construction area, and evidence is being gathered. Guðmundsson said the company had no known disputes and had worked in the district for nearly four years without problems of this kind.

He also described other vandalism and crimes in the area, including break-ins at construction companies, stolen tools and broken windows in machinery. He has contacted Akureyri authorities about installing cameras in Móahverfi, citing both the protection of equipment and the safety of residents and children walking from the area to Síðuskóli.

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For me, this is also about the safety of residents who have moved to the area and children walking from here to Síðuskóli.