Police vow to find violator who did donuts on Pride crosswalk in Florida

Police are investigating after drivers left tire marks on a Pride crosswalk in St. Petersburg, Florida in two instances over the last two weeks. The first a car accelerated through the intersection and the second time a driver did donuts on the pride mural.  

The St. Petersburg Police Department released a statement about the recent incidents and wrote in a Facebook post, "Over the last week, two different vehicles have left tire marks damaging the Progressive Pride street mural at the 2500 Central Avenue roundabout." 

"The first occurred on May 17th at 9:36 am when a truck accelerated through the mural. The second incident happened on May 22nd at 2:41 am involving a blue two-door vehicle doing doughnuts on the mural. Investigators have no reason to believe the incidents are related," the statement added. "It's going to cost the City of St. Petersburg $1100 to restore. The City aims to have the mural repainted in time for Pride month festivities." 

Residents told the Tampa Bay Times that the two incidents of tire tracks have them feeling worried as the cars left the streaks on the rainbow-painted road just ahead of Pride month in June. The driver responsible for the donuts faces a felony charge of criminal mischief. 

Mayor Ken Weltch also made a statement about the mural getting marked up by the tire tracks, writing "In light of the recent vandalism targeting our Progressive Pride flag mural, I want to emphasize that there is no place for hate in St. Petersburg."