Vandal smashes windows at Twin Ports VA Clinic

A vandal smashed six windows that the Twin Ports VA Clinic in Superior earlier this week, police reported.
The double-paned windows made of safety glass that line the clinic’s storefront were damaged Wednesday, according to a Superior Police Department report. The Minneapolis VA Health Care System sent two of its own police officers to the center Thursday to help with the investigation and provide a security presence in the clinic, said VA Public Affairs Officer Ralph Heussner.
“The staff arrived (Thursday), saw the broken glass and police tape and they were concerned about health and safety,” Heussner said. “We’re there to calm nerves, and encourage staff to continue taking care of veterans.”
No patient appointments were interrupted. Temporary replacement windows are in place while permanent replacements are being ordered, Heussner said.
Heussner said it’s the first vandalism of its kind that he’s seen in seven-plus years with the Minneapolis system.
The incident happened sometime before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The night custodian heard the impacts, but did not see the vandalism take place, the police report said.
The clinic, on the 3500 block of Tower Avenue in Superior, was closed at the time. Clinic staff members were going to survey video camera footage to see if the act or a possible suspect was caught on tape, the police report said. Heussner said he did not yet know the outcome of that review.
The damage is estimated at $6,000, with each window having at least one impact mark.
The Twin Ports VA Clinic is the largest outstate outpatient clinic in the 13-clinic Minneapolis system that serves all of Minnesota and parts of Northwestern Wisconsin.
“It’s an important part of our system,” Heussner said. “We have a lot of veterans in the Duluth-Superior area.”