Albuquerque haunted house closes early

The Joan Jones Community Center Haunted House in Albuquerque has closed for the season after vandals damaged the building. City officials determined the structure was no longer safe for visitors following a second incident of break-ins within one week.

The latest damage occurred on Friday night around 8 p.m. Staff members were cleaning the attraction when they discovered a large crack in a window. This followed an incident the previous Wednesday when someone broke windows on the back of the building. Officials kept the attraction open after the first break-in but decided to shut it down after the Friday damage.

Brianna Gallegos of the City of Albuquerque Youth and Family Services explained the safety concern. She noted that the crack was extensive and could shatter if pushed. Gallegos stated that the damage made the area unsafe for children to traverse. The city also wanted to prevent the damage from escalating further or causing injuries.

The vandalism interrupted months of preparation. Gallegos said Marvin, a city employee, had planned the theme, tour, and route for several months. She described the early closure as disappointing for the team. The city has not yet identified the person or people responsible for the damage.

Albuquerque police are investigating the case. The city has reported the vandalism to the department. Officials plan to return the haunted house next year. Future events will include new security measures to protect the building and visitors.