The National Park Service has launched a criminal investigation into the deliberate slashing of the liner of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, sources confirm. The incident, which occurred sometime overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, has left a gash several feet long in the waterproof membrane that holds the iconic pool's water.
Federal park police were alerted early Wednesday morning by maintenance crews who discovered the damage during a routine inspection. The pool had been drained as part of a scheduled renovation project, exposing the liner to easy access. Authorities believe the vandal or vandals used a sharp blade, possibly a knife, to cut through the heavy-duty material.
"This is a deliberate act of destruction against public property," said a Park Service spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. "The Reflecting Pool is a symbol of national heritage, and we will pursue every lead to hold those responsible accountable."
I obtained internal documents that show the liner replacement cost is estimated at $250,000. The total renovation budget for the pool, which includes structural repairs and a new water circulation system, has already ballooned to $8 million. Any delay caused by the vandalism will push costs higher.
The National Mall has seen a string of similar acts in recent months. In March, vandals sprayed graffiti on the World War II Memorial. In April, someone poured red paint on the Lincoln Memorial steps. No arrests have been made in those cases.
Questions are being raised about security. The Reflecting Pool site lacks around-the-clock surveillance cameras. Park police patrols are intermittent. A former park ranger who asked not to be named told me: "This park is a target because it's easy. They know there's no real security."
The National Park Service has declined to comment on whether security upgrades are planned. A Freedom of Information request I filed for the incident report is pending.
This investigation will follow the money. Who would benefit from delaying the Reflecting Pool repairs? Are there contractors on the project who stand to gain from a cost overrun? I have requested the contracting records for the renovation project.
For now, the Reflecting Pool remains dry. A temporary solution will be needed to protect the exposed liner from further damage. But the bigger question is: who is targeting the National Mall? And why?
I will continue to dig. This story is not over.
