Sources are reporting that teenage vandals are responsible for the destruction of playground equipment at the Loring Street playground off Big Tree Rd. It has come to the attention of Hamburg First that at least 1 teenager has been arrested in a similair matter.
Apparently this past Saturday evening a group of teenagers assembled in the playground and began getting rowdy. They then proceeded in starting the playground equipment on fire and bust it apart. There is a large hole burned through the plastic jungle gym used by children between 5 and 10 years old. This equipment is very thick plastic and safe.
Wooden playground equipment is rarely used anymore because of the fire hazard as well as the chemical contamination that has been reported by wood preservatives. The preservatives have been know to cause cancer in young children. As a result the town has turned to the plastic equipment for replacements.
I remember when the Bethford playground was new and in its hay day. It was the nicest playground in the town for years until vandals got a hold of it. Now the baseball diamond is used more for ATV horse play and the grounds haven’t been cut in a year. The equipment is old steel and is falling apart so bad it’s useless.
This is exactly what is taking place at the Loring street playground. Police were called and a neighborhood meeting was initiated at the playground. It is being reported by sources that there is now a neighborhood watch group being formed and the police are patrolling frequently each evening. I’m also told that Supervisor Walters will be receiving a phone call from the residents in that neighborhood.
It’s time to crack down on this kind of vandalism and I hope this kid gets the book thrown at him. If not, then it’s time to sell off the playgrounds so we as tax payers don’t keep financing replacement equipment for no good reason.
