The area’s been through this before, with previous vandalisms of the Father Marquette and Phil Niemisto statues in the city of Marquette. Now the city of Ishpeming is a victim with the recent vandalism to the “Old Ish” statue on Main Street.

According to RoadsideAmerica.com, the statue of “Old Ish,” the Native American, was erected here in 1884 by the local mining company, as part of an array of drinking fountains — one for humans, one for horses and one for dogs. The iron statue, representing an Ojibwe brave, was originally painted black.

Now this monument has unwelcome paint thanks to damage that took place sometime between 5 and 6 a.m. Saturday. The Ishpeming Police Department said the face and mid-section were spray-painted red.

Several downtown businesses also were spray-painted with symbols and some obscene language.

We would think people would have better things to do — like sleeping in — on those wee hours, but apparently that wasn’t the case here.

We also realize that will the current stay-at-home lifestyle ordered during the COVID-19 pandemic, people might be getting a little restless and bored.

We suggest buying a 1,000-piece puzzle or reading a good book.

The concept of vandalism is a strange one anyway. Do the perpetrators believe they are enhancing a community this way? Are they trying to send a message? Or are they doing it just because they can?

Whatever the reason, this latest vandalism on “Old Ish” — as well as some downtown Ishpeming businesses at the same time — is despicable.

The public, however, can help. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 906-486-4416. The department also is contacting all businesses affected during the incident and asks anyone with cameras attached to their buildings in the area to review them and contact it if anything was captured on video.

Times are hard enough now, and the city of Ishpeming doesn’t need this. We hope the subjects responsible for the vandalism are caught, and the city can move on from this.