Recent incidents of property damage have marred the appearance of local buildings and drained time, money and resources.

Over the past year, the Champaign Police Department investigated 14 cases of vandalism to Campustown establishments, according to an email from Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn. Meanwhile, 53 incidents of vandalism to University buildings have been reported to University police over the past 10 months, according to an email from Sharon Lawrence, chief clerk of the University police.

A recent case of vandalism took place Oct. 21 at Hometown Pantry, 601 E. Green St.

According to a police report and manager Jignesh Panchal, an intoxicated University student head-butted the glass door of the building multiple times around 2:30 a.m., causing the glass to crack.

Panchal said the cost of replacing the glass is around $300, which may be his to pay because his insurance deductible is $500. A legal process seeking restitution from the responsible student was still under way as of Oct. 29. Although Panchal said most students have been respectful to him and his business, he said the cracked glass “doesn’t look good at all.”

Nonetheless, some business owners take the vandalism in stride.

“When you do business, there are inherent risks,” said Garth Ries, managing franchise owner of three Penn Station East Coast Subs locations. He said the front window of the Campustown location was found shattered Oct. 3.

University police Capt. Roy Acree said many, if not most, of the offenders in criminal damage to state-supported property are related to students who have been drinking. He said causing damage to University property over $300 is a felony, and regardless of the magnitude of the incident, the Office for Student Conflict Resolution receives the police report in order to determine consequences for the student.

Several Campustown business owners have had experience with intoxicated students causing damage.

“Every incident that I can ever remember had to do with drunk students,” said Matt Mortenson, owner of Zorba’s.

Patrick Grady, general manager of Silver Mine Subs, recalled the case of a student who broke his front window but said he understands that incidents happen.

“We’ve seen the person since, and he’s been nothing but good,” Grady said.

“It was a late night, and he was half-drunk and he wasn’t thinking clearly when he made his choice.”

Brian Farber, director of the Office for Student Conflict Resolution, said his unit takes action on situations that involve students on a case-by-case basis.

“(The students) will have to meet with a disciplinary officer,” Farber said. “Whether or not the damage was incidental or purposeful … whether or not the person is intoxicated, whether or not they failed to comply with police … (and) whether this was an area someone wasn’t even supposed to be in … can contribute to what the response will be.”

Many business owners, however, see such incidents as the cost of doing business.

“It’s unfortunately the nature of the beast of being on campus,” Grady said.

Ilya can be reached at [email protected].