Nahant officials to step up efforts against tunnel vandals

NAHANT – Kids have been breaking into the old Fort Ruckman tunnels, damaging the doors and locks. In some cases, town-owned equipment stored in the tunnels has also been vandalized.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said the tunnels have been broken into several times in the past month alone.”In the past, the town may have turned a blind eye because the tunnels were not being used,” he said. “It was empty and there was no real damage that could be done in there. But we spent a lot of money securing the doors. It’s not a prank anymore. The kids are causing damage – locks and doors are being broken and valuable equipment is kept in there now.”In July the town opened up the old Fort Ruckman tunnels, which are located off Tri-Mountain and Gardner Roads.After cleaning out the tunnels and opening them up, the town installed new utilities, security doors and has been using the bunkers to store Department of Public Works equipment, boats and other materials.Cullinan said the rash of vandalism would not be tolerated.”If kids get caught in there now they will pay the price,” he said. “Anyone caught in there will be prosecuted for breaking and entering.”Police Chief William F. Waters said he has asked police patrols to keep an eye on the area and trespassers would be violated to the full extent of the law.”This is something we’re not taking lightly,” he said. “Violators could face felony charges.”