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| Vandalism |
| "Somebody could get hurt" |
Alan and Thressa Branding, owners of Al’s Johns located in Raymond
Nebraska, reluctantly found themselves in the spotlight of Nebraska
media over the past couple months when two of their portable toilets
were targeted by vandals with pipe bombs only a few days apart. Alan
reports that this is not the first time he has had to deal with pipe
bombs and fires since they started their own portable toilet business
12 years ago.
“We have about two pipe bombs a year,” he advised. “We normally get
the bomb squad out and have a police report done. The only
difference this year is that the media got involved.” The first of the
two pipe bombs were located by Branding’s driver, who had come to
the construction site to clean the unit on Monday morning, February
25th. The driver noticed the bomb and called 911, and shortly after
Lincoln Fire & Rescue and its bomb squad arrived. Upon inspection, it
was determined that the pipe bomb was live, and it was taken outside
of the city to a secure bunker to be destroyed.
Nebraska, reluctantly found themselves in the spotlight of Nebraska
media over the past couple months when two of their portable toilets
were targeted by vandals with pipe bombs only a few days apart. Alan
reports that this is not the first time he has had to deal with pipe
bombs and fires since they started their own portable toilet business
12 years ago.
“We have about two pipe bombs a year,” he advised. “We normally get
the bomb squad out and have a police report done. The only
difference this year is that the media got involved.” The first of the
two pipe bombs were located by Branding’s driver, who had come to
the construction site to clean the unit on Monday morning, February
25th. The driver noticed the bomb and called 911, and shortly after
Lincoln Fire & Rescue and its bomb squad arrived. Upon inspection, it
was determined that the pipe bomb was live, and it was taken outside
of the city to a secure bunker to be destroyed.
“Then the press arrived at the scene,” Branding advised. “My driver didn’t want to do the interview, but the press
was making it seem as if we didn’t care and our driver realized they would be painting us with that brush, so he
gave the interview. We made it on the news. The press was probably the worst part of the experience.”
The second incident, which occurred only a few days later, also involved a pipe bomb. This time the bomb
exploded, blowing the seat off of the toilet and creating quite a mess. The investigation is ongoing and the police
have suspects but no arrests have been made at this time. The bomb used was a 12” by 1” PVC pipe bomb.
Although the bombs have apparently been placed in the toilets just for the sake of vandalism, and not as an attempt
to harm anyone, police officials say that these bombs are extremely dangerous and can be deadly. Chief Fire
Inspector Bill Moody told the Lincoln Journal Star that there are many misconceptions about these pipe bombs
which have the potential of causing fatalities.
“Somebody could get hurt,” Branding explained. “The bomb could go off with someone in the unit or nearby.
When it explodes, there are parts flying off of the unit which could hurt someone walking by. It’s a big liability.”
The problem is that portable toilets have been always been targeted for vandalism. For one thing they are easy
targets, especially when scattered around parks or smaller construction sites. They are vulnerable to interior and
exterior vandalism whenever left unattended. With hundreds of units out on construction sites, in town parks and
at various other events, it is impossible to police these units. From fires to graffiti to pipe bombs, portable toilets
have been targeted for defacement across the U.S. and around the world. “Portable toilets are an easy target,”
shared Branding. “And then you have the crass sense of humor that goes with it. It all starts with some kids of
certain age groups doing tip-overs. Unfortunately some seem to be taking it to the next level. When the bomb goes
off, the content of the tank blows up everywhere, and they think that’s funny. The problem is that this type of
vandalism is accepted in society. You can’t get the police to take it seriously, but what happens when these kids
stick those bombs into houses under construction?”
Branding figures that the only way to really attack this problem of vandalism is to change the public’s perception of
the problem through further education and a tougher approach by law enforcement.
“Society accepts this type of vandalism,” Branding advised. “They say, ‘kids will be kids’ and laugh it off. Our
threshold for putting up with it is too high. If we lowered the threshold, there would be a decrease in occurrences.
We’ve got to try and adjust public perception. Years ago we had a kid of about 16 or 17 who burnt down several
of our units. He was caught and went through the juvenile court system. He had to write us an apology letter and,
after he had given us the letter, the officials asked if we wanted to forget about the incident and drop charges or
pursue it further. Some people probably thought I was just being too hard on him, but I knew that the best thing I
could do for the kid was to make him pay for the damage so that next time he considers doing something like
this, he will understand the costs.”
Branding advised that in every house project, a percentage is plugged into the budget to account for damage due to
vandalism. It is also often included in the insurance. Branding shared that a large amount of money each year goes
towards repairing and replacing vandalized toilets.
“Construction sites and public parks tend to be the worst areas for vandalism,” Branding added. “We don’t even do
the city parks anymore because it isn’t worth it. When we do small town parks, we will try and place older units in
areas that are known for a higher degree of vandalism. We will take parts from damaged units and try to repair
other units with the parts when possible.”
Local press questioned the Brandings as to whether locks, alarm systems and security cameras would be installed
in the units to try and stop these attacks. The cost of initiating such a campaign would be incredible, and there are
serious doubts as to whether or not these tactics would even be effective. Vandalism of portable toilets happens
very quickly. The vandals are in and out within seconds. If they cannot get into the portable toilet, what’s to stop
them from placing a bomb under it or on top of it?
At this point the Brandings feel that some loss due to vandalism just has to be accepted in this industry and that it is
through education and a more serious attitude from law enforcement that society will start to change its way of
thinking in regards to the gravity and dangerous nature of these crimes.
was making it seem as if we didn’t care and our driver realized they would be painting us with that brush, so he
gave the interview. We made it on the news. The press was probably the worst part of the experience.”
The second incident, which occurred only a few days later, also involved a pipe bomb. This time the bomb
exploded, blowing the seat off of the toilet and creating quite a mess. The investigation is ongoing and the police
have suspects but no arrests have been made at this time. The bomb used was a 12” by 1” PVC pipe bomb.
Although the bombs have apparently been placed in the toilets just for the sake of vandalism, and not as an attempt
to harm anyone, police officials say that these bombs are extremely dangerous and can be deadly. Chief Fire
Inspector Bill Moody told the Lincoln Journal Star that there are many misconceptions about these pipe bombs
which have the potential of causing fatalities.
“Somebody could get hurt,” Branding explained. “The bomb could go off with someone in the unit or nearby.
When it explodes, there are parts flying off of the unit which could hurt someone walking by. It’s a big liability.”
The problem is that portable toilets have been always been targeted for vandalism. For one thing they are easy
targets, especially when scattered around parks or smaller construction sites. They are vulnerable to interior and
exterior vandalism whenever left unattended. With hundreds of units out on construction sites, in town parks and
at various other events, it is impossible to police these units. From fires to graffiti to pipe bombs, portable toilets
have been targeted for defacement across the U.S. and around the world. “Portable toilets are an easy target,”
shared Branding. “And then you have the crass sense of humor that goes with it. It all starts with some kids of
certain age groups doing tip-overs. Unfortunately some seem to be taking it to the next level. When the bomb goes
off, the content of the tank blows up everywhere, and they think that’s funny. The problem is that this type of
vandalism is accepted in society. You can’t get the police to take it seriously, but what happens when these kids
stick those bombs into houses under construction?”
Branding figures that the only way to really attack this problem of vandalism is to change the public’s perception of
the problem through further education and a tougher approach by law enforcement.
“Society accepts this type of vandalism,” Branding advised. “They say, ‘kids will be kids’ and laugh it off. Our
threshold for putting up with it is too high. If we lowered the threshold, there would be a decrease in occurrences.
We’ve got to try and adjust public perception. Years ago we had a kid of about 16 or 17 who burnt down several
of our units. He was caught and went through the juvenile court system. He had to write us an apology letter and,
after he had given us the letter, the officials asked if we wanted to forget about the incident and drop charges or
pursue it further. Some people probably thought I was just being too hard on him, but I knew that the best thing I
could do for the kid was to make him pay for the damage so that next time he considers doing something like
this, he will understand the costs.”
Branding advised that in every house project, a percentage is plugged into the budget to account for damage due to
vandalism. It is also often included in the insurance. Branding shared that a large amount of money each year goes
towards repairing and replacing vandalized toilets.
“Construction sites and public parks tend to be the worst areas for vandalism,” Branding added. “We don’t even do
the city parks anymore because it isn’t worth it. When we do small town parks, we will try and place older units in
areas that are known for a higher degree of vandalism. We will take parts from damaged units and try to repair
other units with the parts when possible.”
Local press questioned the Brandings as to whether locks, alarm systems and security cameras would be installed
in the units to try and stop these attacks. The cost of initiating such a campaign would be incredible, and there are
serious doubts as to whether or not these tactics would even be effective. Vandalism of portable toilets happens
very quickly. The vandals are in and out within seconds. If they cannot get into the portable toilet, what’s to stop
them from placing a bomb under it or on top of it?
At this point the Brandings feel that some loss due to vandalism just has to be accepted in this industry and that it is
through education and a more serious attitude from law enforcement that society will start to change its way of
thinking in regards to the gravity and dangerous nature of these crimes.
Vandalism and pipe bombs are nothing new to Al’s
Johns of Nebraska. What is new is the new
unwanted attention from the media
Johns of Nebraska. What is new is the new
unwanted attention from the media
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Serving the American Liquid Waste Industry Since 2002