Four sorority houses were targets of vandalism during winter break.

The signs at Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Delta Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta were spray painted with black paint during the night of Saturday, Jan. 8.

The house presidents said members of the four sorority houses have not yet discussed what they want to do about the vandalism, but the Ames Police Department is working on the case.

“The officers on the case will be talking to the neighboring houses, and there will be extra security in the area,” said Sgt. Randy Kessel, public information officer for the Ames Police Department. “A lot of times if they are repeat offenders, the extra security will catch them again.”

Kessel said the case is still under investigation.

The house presidents said many of the house members were still away on break when the vandalism occurred.

“Half of the girls had moved in. There definitely was not much going on,” said Sarah Eddy, president of Delta Delta Delta, 302 Ash Ave.

Eddy, junior in architecture, was the first to report the vandalized sign and fence to the Ames Police Department.

“It was disappointing that it was the greek system,” Eddy said. “I don’t know why our house was targeted, maybe because of its central location.”

The side of the sign that faces the street at Kappa Alpha Theta, 2239 Knapp Ave., was also damaged.

It is decorated with graffiti that “looks like some kind of initials or symbols,” said Sarah Fitzpatrick, president of Kappa Alpha Theta.

“Be aware that things like this do happen,” said Fitzpatrick, junior in English. “We can create things like a neighborhood watch to keep people aware, to watch out for each other for safety reasons.”

The sign, some siding on the house and the dumpster were spray painted at Alpha Xi Delta, 315 Lynn Ave.

“I was upset,” said President Meggan Low, junior in journalism and mass communication. “Not only is it expensive to remove, it’s upsetting that someone would do that. They had no respect for another person’s property. It was done randomly.”

Stephanie Dieltz, president of Alpha Gamma Delta, 2118 Sunset Dr., noticed their sign was defaced Sunday morning.

“We were all very surprised,” said Dieltz, junior in finance. “Nothing like this has ever happened [to us]. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to do that.”