YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Six acts of vandalism have occurred on the Kanto Express base shuttle in the last two months, the Fuji Flyer, Yokota’s base newspaper, reported in its July 7 edition.
In the latest incident, a permanent marker was used to deface two seats, requiring $600 in repair and labor costs, Tech. Sgt. Randall DeChant, the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle operations chief dispatcher, told the paper.
Squadron officials declined to discuss the matter with Stars and Stripes, but a 374th Airlift Wing spokesman said the recent spike in vandalism may be attributed to more teens riding the bus since the end of the school year.
The Kanto Express is a service provided for Yokota’s duty passengers. Others may ride on a space-available basis.
The 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron is requesting that anyone witnessing acts of vandalism report them immediately.
Video cameras soon will be installed in all shuttle buses, Maj. Douglas Dickerson, the unit’s director of operations, said in the report.
Individuals suspected of vandalizing the bus face punishment including community service, damages reimbursement or base debarment, the report stated.