City Says 400 Central Suspects Have Promising Future in Redevelopment
ST. PETERSBURG — While police continue searching for the two men accused of causing nearly $100,000 in damage outside 400 Central over the weekend, city officials say they were struck by one thing in particular: the suspects’ remarkable demolition potential.
Security footage released by police appears to show the men ripping landscaping lights from the ground and smashing several large windows outside the luxury condominium tower.
“You simply can’t teach instincts like that,” said Graham Whitmore, the city’s Deputy Director of Strategic Activation. “These gentlemen demonstrated confidence, initiative, and absolutely no emotional attachment to existing structures.”
Whitmore stressed that the city does not condone vandalism but believes the suspects simply need better direction.
“They’re clearly tearing down the wrong things,” he said. “With the proper mentoring, we believe those same instincts could be redirected toward historic structures and affordable housing.”
Officials confirmed police are still attempting to identify the suspects. Meanwhile, Whitmore hopes they will consider career opportunities in redevelopment.
“We’d like to speak with them,” he said.
