The memorial was just dedicated in April, and honors eight city officers who died in the line of duty.
Three people have recently been arrested and charged with vandalism after being caught skateboarding at the memorial, and a sign forbidding skateboarding is apparently being ignored.
"There already is damage that has occurred both to the plaza steps and the water table itself," said the memorial's creator Thomas Sayre. "There is increasing chipping of concrete, deposits of various materials from the undersides of the skate boards as well as a black wax, which apparently is used as a lubricant."
The president of the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation says it's a shame the memorial is being used as a playground.
"It is a shame that this place of honor and sacrifice is being used as a playground," said retired Raleigh Police Maj. Dennis Lane, president of the Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation. "We worked for five years to raise the funds to honor these Raleigh officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. I never thought it would not be respected by the public."
The vandalism not only offends people who have served on the police force and their families, but also those being protected by police.
"Considering what these policemen have done, done for the whole city and everything, I think they should be well respected in their passing days," said Raleigh resident Mark Evans.
Jonathan Delatorre frequently rides his skateboard downtown.
He said he's never brought his board to the memorial, and he agrees riding there is disrespectful.
Delatorre says the problem is there aren't any skating parks in downtown Raleigh and skaters will go to wherever they can, even if there are
signs telling them no.
"A lot of kids that skate down here don't really drive or take the bus everywhere," said Delatorre. "They don't have much money yet."
The $500,000 memorial features 21 stone structures of granite representing the community, and a water feature.
The Raleigh Police Memorial Foundation plans to repair the damage, but it is not sure when the repairs will begin.
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