The local tradition of “egging” during homecoming week might be fun for some, but it could cost vehicle owners thousands to repair damage to car finishes.

Athens police say they are getting numerous complaints about this activity and are taking each complaint as a possible act of vandalism.

If you think egging is harmless fun, hurting only the egg-buyer’s pocketbook, think again. It’s a problem in communities throughout the United States and Canada. The Web site Finishing.com carries a discussion forum about the destructive results of this activity.

On May 8, Jerry Nale of San Antonio, Texas, wrote into Finishing.com complaining:

“I think anyone who throws eggs at someone’s car is a punk who needs to be disciplined severely. Community service is not enough. They need to be arrested if found. My daughter’s 1991 Mustang with a black paint job, that she worked very hard for, has a ruined hood because of a loser kid that has no respect for other people’s property.”

Eggers were especially active in the community on Monday and Tuesday nights, leaving behind numerous empty egg cartons on roadsides. But litter is the least of the problem, especially for those unfortunate victims of car damage.

“We’ve had some complaints of it going on this week, and apparently they have egged a couple of wrong cars,” said Athens Police Lt.-Detective Floyd Johnson. “We have made no arrests, but we’re looking into it.”

Egg-throwers should know that the activity has gotten some students in trouble. Two years ago, authorities determined that Athens High School students were responsible for taking their egg fights out into the county, causing an extensive mess at the boat ramp at the old fish hatchery off Alabama 99 near Salem.

Limestone County District 4 Commissioner Bill Daws reported the vandalism to Sheriff Mike Blakely, who later determined that Athens High students egged the ramp.

To make amends, the students agreed to clean up the boat ramp.

“Apparently, they have egged a lady’s car in the Kmart parking lot this week,” said Johnson. “We don’t know if that was done by mistake or if it was intentional, but we’ve had some complaints this week and we are investigating.”

The egging this week was on Monday and Tuesday nights. No complaints were filed Wednesday night, some believe because it was “church night.” Homecoming is Friday night at Athens High School Stadium, when the Golden Eagles take on Jess Lanier.

“We don’t get involved until we get complaints, and when we do, we address those complaints,” Johnson said.

Athens High School Principal Chris Bolen said egg fighting is not an Athens High School-sanctioned tradition.

“I’ve had a complaint, and I told the people complaining that if they can identify the students doing criminal acts, then they should prosecute,” the principal said.

“I don’t think you can find an egg in town this week,” Bolen added. “This is something I wish would go away.”