HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 05-05 Tax dollars "wated" on repair, replacement of damaged property REVIEW Vandalism
Tax dollars 'wasted' on repair,
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by Doug Smith and they broke one,"Gusinda said. "The making the other kids look bad,"Gusinda
Increasing vandalism in Maplewood new vents on the roof of Wakefield war- said."Most are taking care of the parks."
area parks and schools has resulted in ming house lasted less than a week before Yet some of the park break ins also ap-
more and more of the taxpayer's money they were crushed. A new teeter-totter pear to have required the strength of
being spent on repairs. lasted one day at Four Seasons park older persons. Haukland said the ages of
Nearly $650 was spent by the city for before it was ruined last fall."Cost: $200. those caught vandalizing schools has
materials alone to repair the damage "It's just taking more and more money ranged from seven to 22.
done by vandalism in the month of March. to repair these things," Gusinda said. "There doesn't appear to be any pat-
In addition to material costs, the parks "Some of the buildings are starting to look tern," he said.
department crew spent about 167 man bad because of the patchwork we have to Police Chief Richard Schaller said the
hours repairing the damage. do." Gusinda said steel sheets are now vandals are usually among the people
"This is equivalent to one man spending often used to replace glass windows. that regularly use the places they van-
the entire month repairing damage due to dalize. "The peer group suggestions
vandalism alone," said Mel Gusinda, WYLIE HAUKLAND, Assistant probably has something to do with it.
parks foreman."Our crew could be doing Supervisor of Maintenance for School People do something like this in a group
lots of other things to improve the parks District 622,also said vandalism has been that they probably wouldn't do alone."
instead of just replacing things." on the rise in the schools. The fact that vandalism is usually done
While there is usually a certain amount "We've had four or five really bad cases at night in a somewhat isolated area
of vandalism, Gusinda said the this year,"Haukland said."It's definitely makes it a difficult crime to prevent.Few
destruction this spring is not normal. a big problem." Like other school are apprehended.
Vandalism and material costs incurred districts in the metropolitan area,
recently include: Haukland said plans have been drawn to "IT'S HARD FOR our patrolmen to
—New roofs for Wakefield and install a security system to detect break- distinguish as they drive by between kids
Goodrich warming houses: $456. ins and vandalism. Often these systems that might be doing some damage or
—Break in of maintenance shop lun- are cheaper than the costs of the van- simply playing," Schaller said. "Most of
chroom: $143. dalism. the areas aren't illuminated at night and
—Break in of Afton warming house: "Most of the vandalism occurs at night it's just very hard to protect the many
$46. when there's just not anyone around. It areas of the city that are susceptible to
—Burning of playground net at takes a lot of time and money to repair the vandalism. Sometimes we catch them
Maplewood Heights: $140. damages," Haukland said. and sometimes we don't."
—Breaking light fixture at Timber Vandalism costs for the parks includes When minors are apprehended they are
park: $50. picking up trash. brought to the police department and
"We just installed the lights at Timber "This is vandalism too," Gusinda said. their parents are called. The parents are
People can help lower maintenance costs usually asked to pay for the damages
by putting trash in the park's barrels. their child has committed. Schaller said
Taco lunch slated Besides wasting taxpayers' money, that when the parents have to pay for the
vandalism can also result in injury. damages they usually are more apt to
at Our Redeemer Vandals last fall broke a tank gas line for fully understand the seriousness of the
the heater at Western Hills warming problem and take proper action with their
The youth group of Our Redeemer house.Gusinda said if the gas had ignited children.
Lutheran Church, 1390 E. Larpenteur, and the tank exploded, damage could Since the police can't watch all of the
will sponsor a taco lunch following the 11 have been sustained by neighboring parks and schools, they must rely on the
a.m.service Sunday,May 23.Cost is$1.25 homes or residents. public to aid them in preventing van-
for three tacos or 45 cents each.Advance MANY OF THE vandals appeardalism.
tickets can be obtained at the church. children. "I think it's lust a few that are "The police can't watch everything,"
Gusinda said. "The citizens must be the
eyes of the police sometimes." Schaller
added that if people do see anything
suspicious they should call the police -
department.
"Someone must see some of these
things that go on," Gusinda said.
Page 7
THE REVIEW Wed.,May 5, 1976
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A PLAYGROUND net at one of Maplewood's parks was burned costing the taxpayers more and more each year.
recently, one of many acts of vandals in the area who are
Review photos by Doug Smith
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