Did Juvenile Runaways Smear Paint, Fish Guts in West Richland Park?

Authorities don't believe these two incidents are related, but say often vandalism is committed by teens who are often missing or listed as runaways by their parents.

West Richland police reported Wednesday suspects smeared a lot of paint and fish guts on the concrete walkway at the new Gateway Park. While searching for suspects, West Richland officers assisted Kennewick police in locating and apprehending 5 juvenile runaways, 3 were not listed as such, but were missing from their families (they didn't know where they were).

Officers did not say these five were responsible, but did say most of the time such vandalism is related to teens or youth whose parents leave them unmonitored during late-night/early-morning hours.

Police urge residents to closely monitor their kids' activities and whereabouts during the summer.