2024 crime statistics released Tuesday revealed that vandalism cases surged nearly 30% from 2023 to 2024 — the highest among property crimes.
SAN ANTONIO — Criminals were caught on camera targeting a west side barbecue spot. They weren’t after money or property, they stopped by to write a message.
Rusty Buckets Jawsmackin’ BBQ is a bright red building off Cupples, north of Highway 90.
Monday, employees arrived to an unpleasant surprise: yellow graffiti spray-painted across the front of the restaurant and near the front door.
While the message the vandals left in writing is unclear, what’s certain is the owner is responsible for cleaning up the mess.
As KENS 5 learned, the process to remove the graffiti in San Antonio may not have to be all out of pocket.
“We try to create more value to some of them who might not be able to afford a large BBQ restaurant” said Reymundo Villarreal, owner of Rusty Bucket Jawsmackin’ BBQ.
Rusty Bucket Jawsmackin’ BBQ is known for their exceptional food at a low cost. During his seven years in business, Villarreal experienced a first over the weekend.
“It’s happened once or twice before, but not at this magnitude,” said Villarreal.
6 a.m. Sunday, his security cameras caught two people walking up to his restaurant and spray painting the outside.
When Villarreal called SAPD to report the crime, he said the officer seemed perplexed—not by the crime, but by the people who did it.
“The police officer mentioned to me that it was interesting that it was older individuals and that they may either have something against us or we may have offended them in some way or another,” Villarreal explained. “I hope we didn’t offend somebody, but if we did I apologize.”
Tuesday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus presented 2024 crime statistics to the city’s Public Safety Committee. While crime is down in most categories, vandalism skyrocketed nearly 30% from the year before.
“I always look at the bottom line: What’s it going to cost for us to repair it?” said Villarreal. “If we don’t match the paint, we’ll have to repaint the entire building.”
Safety and crime concerns didn’t begin until several months ago for Villarreal. He said on one occasion recently, a man jumped the back fence and stole a power washer from the restaurant. In addition, for the past several months, people have been breaking into the restaurant dumpster searching for food.
“The concern’s not really whether someone is getting into the trash or not,” he explained. “It’s just the health for who’s getting in there.”
Villarreal is pleading with vandals to be considerate and respectful, especially to small businesses
“With the economy the way it is, it affects us in a big way when we have to go repair something that really shouldn’t have been destroyed from the beginning,” Villarreal added.
The City of San Antonio’s Graffiti Abatement Program spends more than $1 million a year to prevent and clean up vandalism.
If you’re a victim, free paint supplies are available. Call the city’s Graffiti Hotline at 210-207-BUFF (2833) to get started. The free supplies don’t stop at paint rollers and paint, the Community Toolshed has a collection of hand and gas-powered tools that can be used by residents and businesses at no cost to clean and improve their properties. Tools include lawnmowers, leaf blowers, rakes, shovels, weed eaters, etc.
For individuals who would like to help clean up graffiti around the city, call the same phone number above.
To learn more about crime prevention through environmental design, such as different plants you can use to help discourage vandalism, click here.
To report graffiti, call 311. You can also file a report online.
Violators could face a misdemeanor charge and up to a $500 fine.