As a result of ongoing vandalism, finding a place in Langley to answer the call of nature just got a little more complicated.

Public restrooms – located next to the Langley Chamber of Commerce office on Anthes Avenue – have become the target for drywall being kicked in, broken glass and continuous “tagging” that required either painting over or scrubbing, according to Police Chief Tavier Wasser.

City staff recently made the decision to reduce hours at the restrooms, which are now open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. Previously, the restrooms were open every day at 5:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Public Works Director Randi Perry said the operations costs for the facility maintenance have increased roughly 36% between 2024 and 2025.

“Graffiti is the most frequent and prevalent of the damage which is time consuming to remove and takes staff away from other tasks,” Perry said, adding that the continued redirection of staff and resources is not sustainable.

During a city council meeting this week, Perry explained that the reduction in hours allows Public Works staff to inspect the restrooms both when opening and closing throughout the day. If hours can be extended, they will.

Councilmember Thomas Gill said he found it “unconscionable” for the city to close the public restrooms so early in the day and entirely on Sundays, as he is someone with a medical condition who requires access at any time. He suggested people could visit the nearby chamber office for a door code, but chamber staff said the office is closed two to three days per week.

Councilmember Savannah Erickson asked the police chief if he had any thoughts on preventing people from vandalizing the bathrooms, to which Wasser responded that he does but unfortunately there is not a lot of personnel to turn those thoughts into actions. Besides the police chief, there is only one other full-time officer on staff currently.

“Typically with these kind of things, cameras can be installed, but that requires heavy public disclosure issues and records keeping issues and data storage issues, and having officers check it regularly is something we did during the last string of vandalism,” Wasser said. “But now, as you all know, I am lacking in those officers.”

As much as it hurts, he said he supports the Public Works director’s decision on limiting the hours.

When asked by The Record about alternatives, Perry said some businesses do allow visitors to use their facilities while shopping and dining. A portable toilet at Seawall Park is offered seasonally only from May to October.

Down at the Langley marina, the Port of South Whidbey operates public restrooms from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, according to Executive Director Jim Pivarnik. Outside of those hours, only marina tenants and visitors have access via a code.